By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Mughlai, an Indian restaurant, will be replacing Ashoka, another Indian restaurant, at 489 Columbus between 83rd and 84th Streets. Mughlai has four other locations in Manhattan (midtown, Upper East Side, Kips Bay, and downtown) and previously had one at 75th and Columbus, which closed in 2015. Ashoka closed suddenly last month, when the space was cleared out and the phone disconnected. (Thanks to Howard, Ian and Ed for the tips.)
ZiZi, a Mediterranean restaurant with a location in Chelsea, is opening at 2012 Broadway between 68th and 69th Streets. The restaurant will have six tables and a 25-seat food/bar counter. Sharon Hoota, the owner, also has three Hummus Kitchen restaurants in Manhattan, which have been open a combined 25 years. It replaces Nanoosh, the Mediterranean restaurant that closed in 2020.
Oakberry, a chain selling açaí bowls and smoothies, has opened at 166 West 72nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam. Founded in 2015, the company is based in Brazil and has more than 500 shops around the world, including a few already in NYC. The açaí berry is nutrient-dense and comes from the Euterpe palm, a native tree to the Amazon rainforest. “Açaí has become a very important source of income for rural communities of the region, where the berries are hand-picked by harvesters who climb trees up to 80 feet high,” according to the company’s website.
A new gluten-free, kosher restaurant from the owners of Thyme & Tonic and Modern Bread+Bagel (next door to one another on Columbus between 82nd and 83rd Streets) is opening at 2756 Broadway between 105th and 106th Street. “We’ll be the only upscale, special-occasion kind of restaurant in the city that is dedicated gluten-free,” said restaurateur Joshua Borenstein in an application to Community Board 7. “There are a lot of places that [are] fast casual restaurants, but nothing that’s a more upscale experience.” The restaurant, whose name was not announced, is currently being renovated and is expected to open in June. It replaces the restaurant Calle Ocho, which closed in January.
Ban Ban Shop, a new Southeast Asian restaurant, has opened at 2911 Broadway between 113th and 114th Streets. The multi-ethnic menu, created by Michelin star chef Nils Noren, includes: customizable Bahn Mi sandwiches, Bao buns, maki rolls, chicken noodle soup, and kimchee slaw. There are also vegan and gluten-free options. Noren previously worked as VP of Restaurant Operations for the Marcus Samuelsson Group and executive chef at Aquavit. Ban Ban replaces part of the space where restaurant Bernheim & Schwartz used to be. (Thanks to Noah for the tip.)
Good to hear of new businesses opening.
I love a list with only opening!!! Looking forward to these.
Oakberry, a chain selling açaí bowls and smoothies, has opened at 166 West 72nd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam
Must be Cilumbis and Amsterdat. There is no “between Broadway and Amsterdam ” except for the subway station.
166 west 72 was a juicy cube juice store. Dunkin’ Donuts is 2 stores down, next gartner hardware
That makes more sense! Just walked by Dunkin this weekend so was wondering when it closed!! 😂😂
What? I just checked in my Dunkin app and it will let me attempt to place an order to the store at 166 W 72nd
Right, fixed.
There is. It’s where Amsterdam crosses over Broadway. Amsterdam at 71 St is west of Broadway. Going uptown before 59th St. It is 10th Ave.
So excited at these openings. I’ve eaten at the Oakberry by NYU. It is delicious, and they make their bowls fast, unlike many places.
Also excited to try Ban Ban and that something is going into the old Calle Ocho location.
What’s going on with Raku II at 76th and Columbus? Been closed since the end of February but the handwritten sign I noticed only said closed for a few days. I miss them!
I was wondering too! I just gave them a call and they’re reopening next week, phew!
Finally an openings list without smoke shops!! Keep it going!
I love it when new places open!
Always good to have another Indian restaurant in the neighborhood. Good luck to all.
WHAT HAPPENED TO BARDONLINO 2? NO MORE ORDERING ONLINE>>>NO PHONE>>>THEY APPEAR TO BE GONE!
Yes! Just tried calling them and then came here to see if they were listed here as a closing. I am too tired to walk over there and find out what is going on, but both of their phone numbers are disconnected. Sigh.
Google search says closed by he board of health
What’s going on with Coppola’s on West 79th St. Such a wonderful restaurant with a varied, and reasonable menu Along. with a very attentive staff,. They have an eggplant parm that is so good, it’ll make you want to give up meat forever.
As far as I know, they’ve at least been continuing to run a takeout/delivery operation. We ordered from them as recently as a week ago! Not sure about dining in, haven’t checked lately.
They are still doing delivery. They redid the dining room and are just waiting for DOB approval and liquor license. My favorite takeout Italian in the area.
Love to see the UWS is thriving with all of these new openings!
Love love loooove oakberry! I go to their other locations any time I’m in the West Village or near the Flatiron. Their toppings are unlimited and the bowls are amazing. So excited they’re open up here!
I love the Mughlai mid town – Ashoka was good but Mughlai is better so I’m excited