Friday, May 14th, 2010

The Upper West Side will be getting another kids’ store when Area Kids, the cute “eco- and fun-conscious” brand with several Brooklyn locations is opening a store on Amsterdam between 81st and 82nd.  Stay tuned for updates on the grand opening.

Also opening soon is the new Le Pain Quotidien (formerly the Mineral Springs Cafe or the Sheep Meadow Cafe), located on the north end of the Sheep Meadow in Central Park (mid-park, near 69th).  The New York Times‘ Diners Journal blog reports that the cafe will open tomorrow, serving fancy Parisian fare and drinks including many organic wines.  The restaurant, which will seat 30 inside and 100 outside, has undergone a big renovation since last summer’s version, upgrading the formerly super-casual spot with a up to $1 million in changes and enhancements.  Another opening that is approaching quickly is the undulating lawn on top of the yet-to-be-named restaurant on Lincoln Center’s campus.  The public lawn near 65th between Broadway and Amsterdam may open by next Friday, May 21st, according to West Side Independent.

In closing news, Popover Cafe (Amsterdam at 87th) closed this week under orders of the Department of Health, according to Twitter tipster @kale1919.  West Side Independent dug a little further into the closing to find that an inspector found a live mouse along with over 300 mouse droppings in the restaurant, plus a range of other violations like food held at unsafe temperatures, food that was not protected from contamination, conditions conducive to vermin infestation, and the absence of a hand-washing sink in a food preparation area.  The restaurant can still reopen, but only after the violations are corrected, fines are paid, and staff undergoes additional training.

Did you see an opening or closing in the neighborhood recently?  Tell us… send as much information as possible to “alerts [at] myupperwest.com,” and we might post it!

Filed under: Food & Drink, News, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog
Tags: Area Kids, Mineral Springs Cafe, Openings/Closings, Popover Cafe, Public Lawn