Openings & Closings: Zurutto; Cocina Consuelo; Carina Hildebrandt; The George at Columbia

By Lisa Kava and Sara Lewin Lebwohl

Zurutto, the Japanese ramen restaurant at 142 West 72nd Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam), which closed in August due to high rent, began temporarily operating out of Dark Bullet Sake & Oyster Bar, at 154 West 72nd Street, on November 8th. Zurutto, Dark Bullet, and Tenzan, (at 285 Columbus Avenue), are all under the same ownership. The owners are searching for a permanent new home for Zurutto in the neighborhood, a representative told West Side Rag on a phone call. Until then, it will operate out of Dark Bullet with an abbreviated menu. The restaurant will continue to serve ramen dishes but will have fewer appetizer options, the representative said.

Cocina Consuelo, a Mexican restaurant, is expected to open at 224 West 104th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues), in December. This will be the second location for the restaurant, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Lalo Rodriguez and Karina Garcia during the pandemic as a “take-out” venture from their Harlem apartment. Both had prior restaurant backgrounds, Eater reported; Garcia at Eleven Madison Park and Rodriguez at Cosme. The couple began by selling homemade “birria tacos,” and eventually established a “supper club” in their home, offering tasting menus inspired by recipes from Rodriguez’s grandmother. They subsequently sold their dishes at various popups throughout the city, and at Smorgasburg. Rodriguez and Garcia opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant at 130 Hamilton Place (at West 143rd Street), in August 2024. The Infatuation described it as a “New York love song,” adding that “you’ll find a surplus of unexpected moments at this tiny restaurant in Hamilton Heights, which rolls over with music, laughter, and the smell of good cooking.”

“Consuelo” means “to comfort or to console,” Garcia told West Side Rag on a phone call. “The name was just a fit with what we were trying to do, create community in a time of uncertainty,” she said. Coincidentally, both Rodriguez’s grandmother (who passed away in 2019), and Garcia’s grandfather were named Consuelo. “The name adds complexity to our story and more depth to what we’re doing here at Cocina Consuelo,” she said. The menu will be similar to the original location, Garcia said, and will be largely gluten free. “The masa pancake is a favorite,” she added.  Malaysia Grill which closed in 2024 was previously in the space.

Carina Hildebrandt, a women’s and men’s clothing store selling knitwear handcrafted in Peru, opened on November 17th at 113 West 78th Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues). The shop sells sweaters, coats, metallic knits, dresses, vests, skirts, pants and tops. It also sells accessories such as hats, gloves and scarves. Designer Carina Hildebrandt uses fabrics such as baby alpaca, organic cotton, and metallics. “I strive to create pieces with an effortless, understated, elegant look,” she told West Side Rag on a phone call. “Our pieces range from elevated casual to evening wear. Everything is ethically made and comfortable.” Hildebrandt grew up in Hong Kong, started her business in England, and owns a shop in Aspen, Colorado. She discovered the Upper West Side in 2009 when stopping in NYC before flying to her workshop in Peru. She fell in love with the neighborhood, and held a number of private trunk shows here. ”I am thrilled to be back in NYC, and so happy to get back to the Upper West Side.” she said.  Store visits are currently by appointment, and can be booked here.  Hildebrandt plans to eventually hold regular store hours. The space was previously Midtown Physical Therapy which closed its UWS location in October 2024.

The George at Columbia, a new hotel,  officially opened on November 18th at 412 West 126th Street (at Morningside Avenue). The hotel had a “soft opening” on October 8th. “The Columbia market is very important to this hotel,” a representative wrote to West Side Rag in an email. “The hotel intends to further develop unique opportunities for Columbia’s students, alumni, faculty, staff, and visiting special guests.” The hotel has 139 guest rooms, a terrace lounge, lobby bar, and fitness center. Plans to open an outdoor pool, and two full service restaurants in the summer of 2026 are in the works. “The George will serve as a property inviting global visitors to engage in Harlem’s unique energy while providing local residents with a welcoming place of gathering and pride,” a press release states. The hotel is named after both George  “Shorty George” Snowden, the Harlem dance legend, and King George II, who chartered Columbia as King’s College in 1754.

The Openings & Closings column wouldn’t be possible without our many tipsters: thank you! Anyone can send tips about openings and closings in the neighborhood to info@westsiderag.com.

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