
By Sam Gross
Welcome to the ninth edition of the Sunday crossword puzzle from West Side Rag. This puzzle explores the longtime institutions that served the Upper West Side for years but are no longer around.
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Before you dive in, here are a few tips for solving:
- This puzzle is designed to be phone-friendly, but you’ll admittedly have more screen to work with if you play on a computer. The navigation bar above the puzzle also offers the option to Print it out if you’re more of a paper and pencil person.
- If you get stuck, the online version has an Assist button that will let you Reveal or Check a letter, word, or the entire grid. You can also Ask a friend by sending them an invite code and the link to the puzzle.
- All of the clues fit an Upper West Side theme, but crossword fans will notice this means a slightly sprawling grid and fewer intersections between words. We’ll continue working to craft the perfect puzzle that feels local to the neighborhood while offering the right amount of playability.






Re 8-down, in 2007, I was one of only four candidates interviewed by Chef Terrance Brennan for the Maitre d’ position. And while I didn’t get the job, it was one of the proudest moments of my hospitality career to be considered for it, since it was a 3-star Michelin , 3-star NYT restaurant. Of course, had I gotten it, I would have been unemployed eight years later.
Hmm, one item north of 86th Street. and only three north of 79th. Is that how you define the UWS?
I cant believe I’ve forgotten so many of these great restaurants on the UWS!! I’ve been here for about 40 years!! Meanwhile when I first arrived from overseas here and lived on W,76 street and West End Ave.. someone told me it was totally not safe to live higher that 82 nd. street on the UWS at that time?!! Strewth!
Anyone else remember B. Cafe on Amsterdam and miss it?