By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
The New Parisian Deli at 501 Columbus Avenue on the corner of 84th Street has closed after 40 years in business at that location. The last day was Saturday, June 16th. “The Parisian Deli was a staple in the neighborhood since the 1970s,” wrote tipster Diane. Around seven years ago, the deli added “New” to its name. (Thanks also to Jason for the tip.)
The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park (near 72nd Street) partially reopened this past weekend. The Cafe section, which has seating for 80, is now open daily with a menu that ranges from breakfast sandwiches and rice pudding to hot dogs and lobster rolls, ABC7 reported. The main dining room is expected to reopen in the fall. The Boathouse is now operated by Legends Hospitality, which also runs service on the Circle Line ferry and at Yankee Stadium, among many other venues. Legends has committed to invest more than $3 million in renovating the iconic Boathouse.
Panera Bread, the fast casual restaurant, has signage up at 2333 Broadway between 84th and 85th Streets, replacing a Victoria’s Secret store that closed in November 2021. It is expected to open in the fall.
Naya, the Middle Eastern counter-service restaurant, will open at 2339 Broadway on the corner of 85th Street, making it neighbors to the new Panera. Naya has several locations in midtown and downtown, but this will be the first location for the restaurant in Manhattan above 59th Street.
Beauty Life Hair Color Studio has signage up at 2242 Broadway (80th Street). The space was formerly occupied by iStyle Salon. iStyle closed in March and Sharky, the former owner, is renting a chair at the Chris Dasig Salon at 428A Amsterdam Ave between 85th and 86th Streets.
Zurna, a falafel, hummus, and burger restaurant opened on June 16th at 2715 Broadway (between 103rd and 104th Streets). The space was formerly occupied by longtime restaurant Jerusalem. Zurna has a “very similar menu” to Jerusalem, writes tipster Matthew. “I got a sandwich tonight, which was fine, and look forward to trying the spinach pie or a mixed platter next.” It’s under the same ownership as Zaad, the Mediterranean restaurant a few blocks away at 963 Amsterdam. (Thanks also to Margot for the tip.)
ClearMD, a primary care and lab testing service, has cleared out of 105 West 72nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. It opened in this space in September last year. Other ClearMD locations are in Chelsea, Midtown East, NoHo and Chinatown. Before ClearMD, the space was most recently used to be a temporary campaign office for Carolyn Maloney.
Blank Street Coffee, the chain of coffee bars, has opened a location with seating at 2461 Broadway (92nd Street) in The Westly, a recently built high-rise building. Founded in 2020 in Brooklyn, there are three Blank Street coffee shops already on the Upper West Side and dozens more throughout the city. The menu includes lattes, cold brew, pastries, breakfast tacos and more. Purchases can get you rewards through the Blank Street mobile app. (Thanks to UWST for the tip.)
Im glad to hear that Loeb boathouse cafe is now open. It was nice and affordable in the past, fresh food at reasonable prices for a quick bite in the park.
WSR, do you know if boat rentals are up and running too?
I knew that spot would not stay vacant long.
I was in the park yesterday and the boat rental was operating.
Thank you! Much appreciated.
With Mamouns and Zaad and Zurna and Naya and soon also Taim we are the falafel capital of Manhattan. Mamouns and Zaad are different styles but both are very good. There’s a Taim near my office that people love. Now we just need a Cava to complete the set.
Alas, Amir’s Falafel of 115th and Broadway, closed down many, oh many, years ago..
Amir’s was the best.
Naya is terrific. Great addition to the neighborhood
I’m so excited for Naya. They were my fave lunch spot when I worked in midtown. The falafel wrap used to be $8 – a steal for that location. With inflation, the price is now $9.99; but that’s still less than $10, which is difficult to find unless it’s pizza.
New Parisian was a dump. Filthy refrigerators, shelves, floors, and exterior. The owner obviously didn’t care. There are much cleaner and nicer bodegas and delis within walking distance. While the deli won’t be missed, I fear the location will lack a tenant for years like most vacancies on Columbus.
Some of us WILL miss it. At least the workers. I only wish there was warning. It would have been nice to say goodbye.
With all of these Middle Eastern restaurants opening, do any of them offer Mujadara? It was my favorite thing from the Lebanese deli counter at Kalustyan’s, but they closed the counter when the operator passed. It may just be a legendary sandwich in my memory now, but I’d love to try someone else’s preparation and I never see it offered.
Muhammara?
Wrong, Mujadera is a lentil/rice dish!
All the Middle Eastern restaurants you quoted are all very good but the best is still SIDO on 72 Street on Colombus Ave which has been there since 1969, So they must be doing something right? Plus they have the Mujadera dish you like.
Mujadra is rice, lentils and onions, a side dish that isn’t usually served in a pita. Is that what you’re thinking of?
Just so you know, you can still get mujadara at Kalustyans, but not at the counter, obviously, and therefore not hot. You can get it in plastic containers in the refrigerated prepared foods section on the main floor. Frustrating indeed, but the mujadara tastes, when heated, pretty much like it did when served upstairs at the counter.
Sido restaurants offer mujadara
Has the Loeb Boathouse Cafe — only the cafe — actually reopened? When I pressed the link in the article above, the statement said closed until further notice.
Yes I walked by there Monday and they were open and serving food.
Blank Street Coffee is really much closer to 91st Street. They have been putting out a water bowl for dogs. They seem very nice.
Very excited about Panera and to a lesser extent Naya. Great additions to the neighborhood.
It will be interesting to see if the guy who has lived in front of that space for ages will be forced to move. He should be first in line to move into the Safe Haven.
If only we could make those who need help, get help.
I suppose I will get booed for being a Secret Suburbanite, but I am pleased about Panera. It may be a fast food chain, but the sandwiches and salads are fresh and (generally) healthy, and the baked goods are okay, too. All without the trendier-than-thou attitude of places like Sweetgreen. The Panera on East 86th St., now closed, was a cramped awkward space, with most tables in a low-ceilinged basement. If they do it right, the old Victoria’s Secret space should be much more welcoming. I hope it will emulate some other locations I know of that provide meeting spaces for clubs and such. (I know of one on Long Island where a local group gathers regularly in its own space for lunch and knitting. Win-win for the group and the restaurant.)
I love Panera! The original owners had had a store where you could pay what you want to help the community. I know it will probably be expensive, but I will have to treat myself.
Wasn’t the Safe Haven supposed to open in March? He’s been spending a lot of time at the 72nd and WEA area. : (
The storefront of 102 West 72nd St. should be landmarked. I hope whoever/whatever moves into the space doesn’t futz with the distinctive arched windows (and restores the door to the left to its original symmetry). It, and a couple of other unusual storefronts further west add architectural interest to a block whose broad sidewalks and varied building make it a great local “high street.”
Tried Zurna shawarma- eh- not as good as the former place and more expensive. I don’t mind paying a bit more but it just wasn’t as good .