MyUpperWest has mentioned previously that Calle Ocho is moving to a new location, and yesterday came word that the new place should be opening the first week in August. Now here’s some more news: my contact over there e-mailed to say they’re giving away free $10 coupons to promote the opening. From now until the [...]

Uber-popular UWS spot Calle Ocho has officially shuttered their location at 446 Columbus as they prepare to move into new digs at nearby 45 West 81st. The nuevo latino restaurant had faced mild community opposition when trying to secure a liquor license for the new location, but they’ve ironed things out, have the license, and [...]

In May, MyUpperWest mentioned that Angelina Pizza Bar was “closed for renovations.” Tipster Noah reported at the time that it didn’t look like renovations and appeared as though Angelina’s was closed for good. Looks like he was right.

EaterNY released the July 2011 version of their “38 Essential New York Restaurants” list — four of them are located on the Upper West Side. Gennaro Restaurant (665 Amsterdam): An Upper West Sider’s secret, Gennaro is no reservations, no credit and no frills. But its straightforward pastas and main proteins never disappoint in a neighborhood [...]

Interesting twist on the typical “Opening/Closing” routine… NYT Diner’s Journal reports restauranteur Jeremy Wladis will be closing Campo (2888 Broadway, at 112th) after dinner on Sunday and reopen it as Il Cibreo, a “rustic Italian trattoria” on Wednesday. He’s tapped perennially transit chef Ryan Skeen as the consulting chef on the project. Skeen was most [...]

The Real Deal is reporting that Tumi has signed a lease for 1,000 sf at the Apthorp (Broadway, between 78th & 79th) and is targeting a fall opening. Thanks to @UWSn8 for the tip. Little known fact: “Tumi” comes from the Latin word for “overpriced.”

There are some interesting Memorial Day weekend food options around the neighborhood, and one of them is the crab boil at The Mermaid Inn (568 Amsterdam, between 87th & 88th). From Sunday through Tuesday, $24 will get you a bucket of Maryland Blue Crabs, cornbread, red bliss potatoes, and grilled corn on the cob. After [...]

PicNic Market & Cafe (2665 Broadway, between 101st & 102nd) is offering a “$25 gets your $50″ deal through LivingSocial. Per the offering: Chef Jean Luc Kieffer uses organic, seasonal ingredients from Bradley Farms in New Paltz, NY, to make delicious and authentic Alsatian (French) cuisine. Dive into classics like choucroute (sauerkraut prepared with sausage [...]

Last month tipster Jillian wrote in to say that Tamarind, the Indian restaurant on Amsterdam between 80th & 81st had closed. Today, she followed up to say that newcomer Thai Nam (pictured) has already taken over the space. However, despite the awning, they’re not open yet. There’s another restaurant called Thai Nam in the East [...]

In last night’s “Openings & Closes” post I mentioned Blossom Du Jour, a new organic/vegan/vegetarian/kosher joint with the tagline “Shrewd Fast Food.” I just came across a rather extensive review of their Chelsea location on www.Healthy-Happy-Life.com. Author Kathy Patalsky raves about the place, providing a ton of information and photos. I don’t see why the [...]

I’ve actually heard good things about this place and have been meaning to try it — this seems like as good an excuse as any. Bistro Ten 18 (1018 Amsterdam, between 109th & 110th) is offering a pretty tempting deal today through LivingSocial — $34 will get you two entrees and a bottle of wine [...]

French bistro Alouette (Broadway, btw. 97th/98th) is back with yet another discount, this time through Groupon — this is their 4th online discount since April 14th. I actually bought the LivingSocial deal last month but haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I’ll try and do a review when I finally make it there [...]

Lindsay, The Lunch Belle, recently stopped by the Upper West Side’s only Druze restaurant, Gazala’s (380 Columbus, between 78th & 79th). Halfway through reading this, I was under the impression that Druze was a type of falafel — it is not. It’s actually a religion, of which it turns out a good friend of mine [...]

Last week MyUpperWest mentioned the impending opening of Leopard At Des Artistes. Well, it opened on Monday, and yesterday Eater had a write-up about the highly-anticipated re-imagining of the former Cafe des Artistes space. Eater writes: “Chef Vito Gnazzo has been working on a menu focused on the South of Italy, featuring influences from Sardinia, [...]

The Post (via Eater) reports that Calle Ocho is moving to a different calle… The popular Upper West Side Nuevo Latino restaurant with all-you-can-drink sangria brunches has signed a lease at the old eighty-one space in the Excelsior Hotel at 45 West 81st. That’s just a block-and-a-half away from its current location at 446 Columbus. [...]