By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Duke’s Deli II has opened at 774 Amsterdam Avenue on the corner of West 98th Street. Sandwiches, salads, wraps, breakfast, smoothies, and more can be made at the counter. The deli also carries pantry and some grocery items. Delivery is available through Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash. It replaces Moonrise Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant that closed in November 2022. (Thanks to Graham for the tip.)
The Granola Bar, at 551 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 86th and 87th streets), had a “soft opening” on January 9, and officially opened on January 16. The restaurant and “grab-and go-eatery” was founded in Westport, CT in 2013 by former Upper West Siders and now has six locations in Westchester and Connecticut. The UWS location is the first in New York City. The Granola Bar serves “elevated comfort food,” including a breakfast menu until 4 p.m. daily, and also sells homemade granola in a variety of flavors. Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen, which closed in December 2022, was formerly in the space.
One Medical, the membership-based healthcare provider, is opening an office in February at 2633 Broadway between West 99th and 100th streets. The company offers subscriptions for adults under 65, over 65, and kids. Their services include: urgent care, preventative health, mental health, child care, and chronic conditions, among others. Same day or next day appointments can be booked by members through an app, and appointments are also available over video chat. One Medical has 18 offices in NYC, including one on the UWS at 81st and Broadway. The space has been unoccupied or under construction for the past few years, but it was most recently an Urban Outfitters.
Broadway Deli has opened at 2721 Broadway on the corner of West 104th Street. The Deli has prepared food, drinks, and convenience store items. The space was formerly home to Suba Pharmacy, which closed in March 2022 after 40 years. (Thanks to Tracy for the tip).
Dagon, the popular Mediterranean restaurant at 2454 Broadway between West 90th and 91st streets, has named Aaron Bashy as its chef de cuisine, The New York Times reported. Ari Bokovza is still executive chef and partner at the restaurant, but he’s now splitting time between Dagon and Acadia at 101 West 57 Street. Bashy, who previously worked at Monterey, an American Brasserie in Midtown, will maintain Dagon’s daily operations. There will be seasonal changes to the menu, as usual, but conceptually all will stay the same, according to a company representative. Dagon opened in 2021 and The Infatuation recommends it for brunch.
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Just a note about One Medical and other subscription medical services. Over the years I specifically chose offices that were in close proximity to me (UWS), yet whenever I needed an appointment the only doctors that were ever available were in Union Square or downtown Manhattan. You might want to double check on that before you sign up.
Same thing happened to me at Small Door Vet. Foolishly paid the annual subscription based on the “same or next day appointments” pitch – then go to try and make an appointment and … no appointments on UWS for a week. “Uh we meant same or next day somewhere”… plenty of appointments available tomorrow in Williamsburg. Hah.
Just go to your regular Sinai or Columbia doctor that is covered by your insurance. Everything is covered, and you are not charged for any phone calls and people are always available. Why pay extra for this service.
I had Mt. Sinai doctors my entire life. Once I was on Medicare no one was ‘available.’ I was told to make an appointment with a substitute. Imagine being told you have a life changing condition and then waiting another 3 months to see a specialist. I thought the subscription service was worth a try but I still ended up at urgent care. Northwell hooked me up with a specialist and I was seen the next day and admitted to the hospital. I have to be hyper vigilant and proactive about everything and it’s exhausting. It shouldn’t have to be so difficult.
One Medical doesn’t make money by providing a doctor in a convenient location when you need one.
They’re also owned by Amazon, which is concerning.
Amazon in common with other big tech companies are investing heavily in healthcare.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/08/31/amazon-one-medical-ceo/
Thanks for the info! It’s disgusting isn’t it?!? 20-25 yrs ago I used to say they’ll be about 3 companies owning everything!!!!! Weakening the anti monopoly law was & is a travesty as is Citizens United!
They were sold to Amazon in the last year or so and I, too, as a member for four years, have been concerned, but so far, no real change other than the time limits you have everywhere (20 minutes) for visits. But my regular PCP gives me the time I need.
The NYC doctors are all affiliated with Mt Sinai and can give referrals as needed either within Sinai or elsewhere.
The other great feature: You can email to get scrips refilled and don’t need to wait for your doctor to be available.
Membership means paying extra for services they are supposed to provide anyway, just like “concierge” medicine. A way to avoid providing care to anyone in need of it.
I don’t know what kind of insurance you have, but I do not pay extra for anything. My insurance covers my visits, etc. And this is not traditional concierge services. Given the access and convenience it is well worth the annual membership fee. They do NOT avoid providing care. I have gotten much better service from my doctor, and others there, than ANY other hospital based or private practice PCP in this city.
If you are considering signing up and paying a membership fee, check the reviews of their services. So many negative reviews that I can’t imagine they would stay in business long if they didn’t have Jeff Bezos’s money behind them.
Wish Popover would return
I miss Carol and her Baers and the food so much!
Popover was great, and so was Kirsh. But we tried Granola Bar during the soft opening and enjoyed it very much.
Ditto re Popover
How come Weed Stores never make this list?
As soon as a legal weed store opens on the UWS, I’m sure it will.
There are 2 new weed stores opening on the UES, at least one is legal, and the other allegedly is legal, and a beautiful spa/emporium, unlike the ones we’ve been seeing near 72 and B’way.
Fantastic experience at Granola Bar for lunch yesterday. Beautiful space, delicious food, and amazingservice (shoutout to our server Lex). A MUCH needed addition to the above 86th area of the UWS. Looking forward to their liquor license being approved and having a new cocktail option in the neighborhood.
Thanks for the review. The name is oddly limiting and to me, a bit off-putting, but I’m glad to know that the space is being filled by something good. I’m also intrigued by the opening of three (at least) new deli/markets within the last couple of weeks. Is retail on the UWS finally reviving?
To your question about retail “reviving,” this new “Suba” deli will be an interesting test case. The long-standing bodega immediately south (opposite side of 104th st) went OOB what seems like years ago. The Mexican Deli three doors down on Broadway still stands.
Will be interested to see how the new deli does.
Does anyone know what is happening with the Brunch restaurant on Broadway between 78th and 79th? What’s been preventing it from opening?
Does anyone know why Popover Café closed? I also liked the gift shop next door. How long it had been in business? How many years ago it closed?
Popover closed after a long and wonderful run. As I understand it, the owner, Carol Baer, had just had enough. From the time when closing was announced until the actual closing day, it was busy morning, noon and night and you could reasonably expect to meet up with everyone you ever knew in the neighborhood. It is one of those unforgettable, not to be reproduced places.
Notice how almost all of these new businesses have scaffolding in front of them. This is what kills business, is that you cannot see them with their signs and windows blocked. You have no idea they are there. Please start removing al the unsightly scaffolding on the UWS.
Does anyone know WHAT is going on with Marinara at 2578 Broadway (b/w 97-98)? It has been closed for a month with a notice on the door regarding a gas issue. No action or follow-up.
I was actually AT Marinara when that happened. A ConEd guy came in and said there was a problem with the pipes and it was being shut off. My fear is that it will be off for months like has happened previously in many old UWS buildings and destroy the business (this is what happened at Candle Cafe West). We loved stopping at Marinara for a slice.