By Lisa Kava and Natalie Demaree
Lily’s Roaster’s, a coffee shop, had its grand opening on May 24th at 107 West 86th Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues). Owned by married couple Ariana and Bessie, the coffee shop serves freshly roasted small-batch coffee, croissants, and pastries. “After more than ten years working in restaurants, we decided to build our first coffee shop, completely from scratch on the Upper West Side,” Ariana wrote to West Side Rag in an email. “Inspired by old-school New York cafes and a little ’90s nostalgia, Lily’s is centered around specialty coffee roasted in small batches, fresh pastries, and the simple idea of bringing people together through every-day moments.” Hours will be Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ghemo, a Georgian wine restaurant and bakery, opened on May 25th at 201 West 106th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue). Hours are still to be determined. Menu items include vegetarian Georgian dishes such as khachapuri (house signature bread with oyster mushrooms and truffle cheese blend) and lobliani (classic bean filled pie). The menu also includes Georgian-style chicken and lamb skewers, roasted chicken in garlic sauce, and braised oxtail with tomatoes and Georgian spices. Appetizers include a variety of eggplant and spinach dishes, along with Georgian soup dumplings (beef, lamb and mushroom).
“Wine will be a major focus at Ghemo, especially Georgian wine,” owner Guram Kharshiladze wrote to West Side Rag in an email. “Georgia is considered the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition that is deeply tied to the country’s culture, hospitality, and cuisine.” He is awaiting a liquor license but expects to have it “very soon.” The space was previously a beauty salon.
A convenience store opened on May 22nd at 119 West 72nd Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues), a store employee told West Side Rag on a visit. The convenience store does not have a name yet, and the owner and staff are working on getting signage put up, the employee said. The store sells drinks and snacks, including Gatorade, water, soda, chips, protein bars, candy, and more. A UPS store had been in the space for over 30 years before closing in April. (Thanks to Scott for the tip.)
Sushi Konata, a kosher sushi restaurant, moved into Talia’s Steakhouse, a kosher steakhouse located at 668 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 92nd and West 93rd streets), along with West Side Wok on April 30th, steakhouse owner Adam Nagar told West Side Rag on a phone call. Sushi Konata and West Side Wok previously shared a space at 691 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 93rd and 94th streets), and both moved due to rising rent costs, Nagar said, adding that hours and menu items are the same as before. Sushi Konata and West Side Wok are owned by Adam Nagar’s brother, Daniel, Nagar told the Rag. (Thanks to Scott for the tip.)
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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Sorry to see UPS closed. If I’m not mistaken there is already a 2 floor convenience store on the same block.
The 2-floor deli-convenience store is open 24 hours and is the best addition to the street in years. This new one just sells soda, candy, cookies and chips. You can’t pay rent on just that. I agree with the poster below who thinks it’s a front for something.
Never understand how so many convenience stores in the area can keep up rent
I mean they are clearly a front for something else
I agree. Something seems off. At least it’s not another nail salon.
There is a small UPS on Amsterdam closer to Lincoln Center. I use it all the time …
Thanks for the reminder, I used to go there but it’s so tiny and there was always a line. I’d guess the line will be even longer now. 😉
Lily’s coffee is great
Please just open more grocery stores. Please. If I see one more ice cream shop, fitness boutique or bakery I’m gonna cry
Cheese shops! Bookstores! Toy stores! Hell, give me a place that sells lampshades (R.I.P. to Oriental Lamp Shade…) The vinyl shop in the West 80s on Amsterdam is a step in the right direction. We need more *good* retail!
TWO kosher sushi restaurants on the same block across from a kosher grocery store that also makes fresh sushi?! That makes about as much sense as a circular firing squad. Kosher restaurant owners have no common sense when it comes to deciding on a location. I have seen this time and again. Good luck and may the best sushi win.
Only Sushi Tokyo is a sit-down place. It’s the newest one and doesn’t look as busy as the cheaper takeout and delivery options. The concentration of kosher restaurants and markets is intentional to serve the very local population needs plus be a destination for out of towners coming to Manhattan who want a big variety in one area to cover multiple meals, kids preferences etc.
West Side Wok and Konata are a delivery service, exact location is unimportant. But now that they are under Talia’s umbrella, I can get my steak and my pescatarian sister can eat her sushi, and my fast-food addicted little brother have his french fries and chicken nuggets and fried wontons all sitting at the same table.
Plus, the Talia’s people are nightowls and serve happily at very late hours so this is a win-win!