By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Vanguard Wine Bar is opening in early December at 230 West 74th Street (between Broadway and West End). This will be the second Upper West Side location for the French American wine bar. There is one at 189 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 68th and 69th streets), as well as on the Upper East Side and in Midtown. Vanguard balances “good drinks with approachable contemporary small plates,” serving American food with French influences. Owner Stefan Mailvaganam opened the first Vanguard Wine Bar in 2012 in Kips Bay after returning from a trip to France, he told West Side Rag on a phone call (that location closed during the pandemic). The name comes from the French term “vin de garde” which refers to wine that is meant for aging.
Mailvaganam hopes that customers will stop by for a drink and a snack pre or post seeing a show at the Beacon Theater, noting that his other UWS location is popular pre and post Lincoln Center. “We will serve shareable snacks in a warm, welcoming atmosphere,” Mailvaganam said. There will be jazz playing in the background, classic movies (such as Alfred Hitchcock films) without sound on the walls, and intimate lighting. Menu items include snacks, salads, meat and cheese plates, tartines, savory tarts, and macarons and truffles for dessert. Vanguard Wine Bar features beer and a variety of wines, including white, red, and rose. There is no hard alcohol. The space used to be Ansonia Cleaners, which relocated to the Schwab House apartment building at 285 West End Avenue between 73rd and 74th Streets. (Thanks to Jill and Amy for the tips.)
4 Corners Marketplace, a “high end deli” with a mini market, is planning to open at 2501 Broadway (at the corner of West 93rd Street) before the end of the year. Eduardo Bernardes, the real estate broker who represented both the landlord and the new tenant, shared this information with the Rag. The deli’s owner also runs Eats on Columbus Marketplace, located at Columbus Avenue and West 84th Street, which opened earlier this year. The space used to be Hans Family Fruit and Vegetable Market, which closed in April after nearly five decades on the Upper West Side.
St. James Gate, the Irish pub at 441 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 81st and 82nd streets) is closing on December 20th. An employee told West Side Rag on a visit to the restaurant that the rent had become too much. The restaurant and bar opened in 2007, according to the company’s website. “This is the kind of bar where they make every patron feel like a regular (and most probably are),” the Rag wrote in a “Here’s the Dish” column in 2022. (Thanks to Judith for the tip.)
Mimi Cheng’s, the dumpling restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue between West 74th and 75th streets, has closed. “Our restaurants consolidated to keep our East Village original location as the flagship and build our recently launched dumpling line,” a representative wrote to West Side Rag in an email. “Mimi Cheng’s just launched in select Whole Foods Market stores in New York City, with a goal of entering all Whole Foods Market stores in the northeast by 2025.” Known for its handmade Taiwanese dumplings, Mimi Cheng’s opened this Upper West Side location in 2021. Two sisters started the business in 2014, making recipes inspired by their mom, Mimi, who taught them to cook. We’ll provide an update on the space’s new tenant in a few weeks. (Thanks to Madison and Ken for the tips.)
Kancil, a Southeast Asian restaurant, has opened at 434 Amsterdam Avenue (West 81st Street). It is backed by restaurateur Salil Mehta, who was also behind Wau, the Southeast Asian restaurant that was previously in the space. Kancil’s chef is Simpson Wong, whose menu “concentrates on Southeast Asia with Malaysia ascendant,” The New York Times reported. “Street snacks like sticky rice with dried shrimp; plates of crispy tofu with tamarind and peanut; Malaysian clam dip; taro and pumpkin dumplings; and local striped bass with a black calamansi crust provide a sampling.”
Capital One Café, which is affiliated with the bank of the same name, opened last week at 1843 Broadway (corner of West 60th Street). You don’t have to be a Capital One member to visit there, though Capital One debit and credit card holders get 50% off beverages (including Verve coffee) when using their Capital One card. There are Capital One Cafés across the country, including three already in NYC. The UWS location features a digital art gallery – In collaboration with Tappan Collective – and displays works from some local artists. The ample seating and free WiFi can be used as a coworking space. There are also resources available to answer questions about personal finance. Hours on weekdays are 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Senn, the Thai restaurant at 452 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 81st and 82nd streets), reopened on November 26th. The restaurant had been closed for a month for staff vacations and renovations, a representative told West Side Rag. The renovation includes new furniture (chairs and tables), new lighting, and new wood and paint on the walls. In Thai, “senn” means noodle and the menu features a wide range of noodle dishes and “Thai comfort food.” Senn opened in 2014.
Heather Mac Cleaners at 265 Columbus Avenue (between West 72nd and 73rd streets) has closed. A sign posted on the storefront that thanks customers says “your items have been safely transferred to 72 French Cleaners […] You may pick them up there going forward.” 72 French Cleaners is located at 116 West 72nd Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus). “We kindly ask for your continued patronage at their location.” Heather Mac Cleaners moved into this space in 2020.
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Man. The actual Capital One locations here are all gone. The one on 87th closed during the pandemic and it is still empty. The one on 94th or so closed before the pandemic and is still empty
I guess because so many people do online banking, it makes more sense to make it a full immersion experience.
Also. Saddened about the dry cleaners. So many closed during the pandemic and the immediate after effect. But I have been happy that it has been a few years since any have closed.
Am excited about new deli.
The one on 72nd is still around.
Pig & Khao will be opening their UWS location on Dec. 4 per their instagram with reservations available starting on Dec. 10.
Devastated about St. James Gate! I have many great memories of sitting outside at the tables on 81st enjoying a pint. They’ll be very missed!
I can’t imagine being devastated about a mediocre restaurant closing. And you couldn’t pay me to sit in the street at that corner.
It’s earthy people like you, dear Boris, that keeps life interesting, thank you for your insight, you really do—and I really do mean this—make the world a better place. Happy Holidays!
Nothing like the sounds and smells of a bus/cars turning right on 81st street to enjoy your burger and beer. St, James was nice space but a new location will be best.
Godspeed St. James Gate — you will be sorely missed.
I never understood why establishments like to play classic films without sound on their walls, as the new Vanguard Wine Bar is planning to do. Big Nick’s on Broadway used to do this. Who watches? I don’t get it. Someone please explain. Thanks!
Ages ago I ate at the pre-Covid Fairway cafe while they screened Dr Strangelove on the wall, no sound. I was with family, but hose old black and white films, even if you don’t know all the dialogue, were so beautifully shot it was till entertaining to look over every so often, I remember just smiling at some of the visuals – the tartan bikini worn by one of the consorts to the wacky General such and such (precious bodily fluids) comes to mind….
i love this. far more interesting than boring wall art. film is also a visual medium.
I like it! It can establish a nice, nostalgic ambiance and is often a fun conversation starter. Many times I’ve learned about new (to me) movies that I’d never heard of before.
It’s a vibe. A certain kind of ambiance. Maybe not your cup of tea. As a cinemafile, I think its cool and fun. I have stolen the idea for parties I have thrown.
I would totally watch. And you don’t need the sound, you know what they’re saying.
Thank you! Well said!!
I know …makes no sense at all. Rather they just have some electronic rotating art or photography display for people drinking solo. Or, better yet, a real art show that can feature local artists and sell the works at the same time.
@Lllll There’s a Capital One on 72nd and Amsterdam.
And…
Love Senn Thai – happy they’re back! Very solid food, IMO.
Was St. James Gate previously a Vietnamese restaurant? Trying to remember. I’m pretty sure a scene in You’ve Got Mail was filmed in that restaurant.
Mimi Cheng’s was too close to Vanessa’s.
No, it used to be Louie’s West Side Cafe, still very sadly missed. I know a scene from You’ve Got Mail was filmed at Cafe Lalo, on W83rd St., but that, too is now gone.
The Meg Ryan character’s bookstore was on W. 73rd, just past Columbus. The store ‘restaged’ for the film was named Antiques and Cheese (no kidding!) And, if I’m correct, Alice’s Tea Cup now occupies that space.
Ah, I made same mistake but – the You’ve got Mail store was called “Cheese and Antiques”!
Nope. Antiques and Cheese was certainly the You’ve Got Mail store but it was not on West 73. It was on West 70th. Wonderful quirky store.
Alice’s Tea Cup is, and always has been on West 73. Easy to confuse the 2 spaces because they are in the exact same spot on their respective streets.
There was a Vietnamese place near there – blanking on the name. This is around 2004 or so. Really good Bo Luc Lac. It might have been slightly further south. Definitely east side of Amsterdam near there.
I know the Cafe Lalo scene in You’ve Got Mail – that was iconic. There is another scene where Meg Ryan is having dinner with Greg Kinnear that I think was in that location – the one where they broke up. Almost sure it
The Vietnamese restaurant was called Monsoon
I recall three Vietnamese restaurants all within close proximity of each other: Monsoon, River, & Rain. Detect a theme?
Thank you! That’s what I thought but wasn’t sure. I appreciate you confirming it!
Yes, I loved Louie’s West Side Cafe!
Very sad about St James Gate. They serve a great fish and chips and pour a fine Guinness. It is a neighborhood stalwart. I don’t understand the economics for raising the rent when there are still many empty storefronts. I bet this stays empty for months if not years.
I have been craving fish and chips! If there is a chilly day between now and Dec 20th…
When will we demand of our elected officials that they legislate Small Business rent control?
The loss of individually owned stores–“Indies”–replaced by corporate this or that has robbed pretty much most of the city of its unique appeal.
Store rents are way down over the last 8 years.
The website will not allow me to reply to L Gerson’s comment about small business rent control so I will comment here.
Property owners also have to expenses to cover also (property taxes, insurance, building repair which is costly considering how old UWS buildings are, etc.).
Yes, property owners have expenses. But they also get many tax breaks. If their property stays vacant because they are charging too much for rent they still get to deduct their expenses. Vacant property is a blight on the community. If a property stays vacant for more than a year then the owners should not be allowed to deduct their expenses. The community should not have to subsidize their greed. If property owners can’t figure out how to put their property to use then they should forfeit their property to someone else who can.
What used to be Pekarna on W89th/Amsterdam will be a Greek restaurant, opening early 2025. I’m personally looking forward to that.
A noodle cafe taking over Mimi Chen’s that specializes in spicy lamb noodles. They have a few other locations in NYC. They had a location further uptown on UWS years ago
Do you know when? Xi’an famous food is excellent! Not surprised about Mimi Chen – if you actually ever eaten there you’ll know it’s very low quality.
That sounds like X’ian. Delicious!
Very very very sad about St James Gate Very!
Eat there weekly, the staff is so friendly and professional and the music is great – watched the sports reasonable priced food. It was my go to spot to go!
You will be missed!
Well said. I have had four generations of my family experience the delight of St. James Gate. Very sad to see them go!
Oh no, St James Gate! They have been a neighborhood staple for decades. Start a Go Fund Me!
Go for it!
Nice that the former Han space was filled quickly and usefully, and that Senn has reopened.
Sad to see the closings but I really liked the Scott Etkin photos. Thanks for printing them. The Vanguard Winebar would look great framed.
Hubby and I treated ourselves to yummy snacks at this really comfy wine bar.
Commence disparaging smears of of how fun I am at a party, tiny violins playing to my first world problems, etc etc. all you like, but childish communication style turns me off. No disrespect to the writers as they’re source quotes.
Heck, go ahead….treat yourself to some snacks while you’re replying! 😉
Replying to Judy (site won’t let me reply): it is an urban myth that property owners get to “deduct” anything with a vacant storefront. No one wants vacant storefronts, especially not property owners.
In fact, property owners pay a massive penalty with vacant storefronts because they pay our sky high property taxes regardless of occupancy. Commercial spaces are taxed more highly per square foot. It’s common for 40% of theoretical store rental income to go straight to the City for taxes.
The people who ran St. James Cafe said rent “became” too much. That doesn’t suggest a rent increase. Rather, their business wasn’t working and they are choosing to blame one large and predictable expense (rent) over the myriad major unpredictable expenses (food, labor, insurance, energy, compliance) that businesses face.
Small businesses struggle for many reasons. We can’t keep demonizing “the landlord”.
Counterpoint: we can.
Yes well stated and as a small landlord the real estate taxes and repairs take almost all the income from the building I own. No landlord wants their properties or retail spaces vacant.
St James Gate is a special establishment – the kind of pub where everyone feels like they know the owner. They are kind, pour a great beer, and serve tasty pub food. Many of us are devastated to lose our local neighborhood pub, and hope the owners know how much this place meant to so many folks on and around 81st.
I still miss Louie’s, formerly at Amsterdam and W. 81st.
https://www.greatrestaurantsmag.com/NYC/restaurant_view/219/
Actually, no; Maya Schaper’s Cheese and Antiques was on 69th, just west of Columbus, and is now a very good dry cleaner.