Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

UPDATE 6/28: Menu for A.G. Kitchen

Mentioned last week (here & here) that Columbus Tavern (269 Columbus, between 72nd & 73rd) had closed rather suddenly and was rumored to be transforming into a Cuban restaurant.

Turns out that was kinda right. It’s reopening tomorrow as A.G. Kitchen — an American restaurant with a Latin spin. The chef is Cuban-born Alex Garcia, the consulting chef at neighborhood favorite Calle Ocho.

MUW reader Eden set in the following note last night:

Just walked by the old Columbus Tavern.  Looks like the new place is called “A. G. Kitchen.”  They were having, what I assume, was their Friends and Family Opening Night.  All the front windows were open and the music was loud.  No menu posted yet and I couldn’t get the bouncer’s ear to ask him about it.  Inside can only be described as “Miami.”  Lots of white walls and flowing white curtains.

I stopped by earlier today to snap a photo and was told of chef Garcia’s involvement. They’ve been doing tastings and friends/family events the past few days and are opening to the public tomorrow (Thursday).

A little Googling dug up the following…

From Time Out New York:

Cuban-born chef Alex Garcia puts a Latin spin on American plates at this 120-seat eatery, outfitted with a 100-year-old mahogany bar, butcher-block tables and colorful hanging pots. Dig into dishes like a Peruvian-style beer-can chicken served with roasted tomato salsa, and the Manhattan Latin Burger, a house-ground patty topped with guacamole, bacon, cheddar and a smoky-sweet sauce.

From The New York Times:

Alex Garcia, the consulting chef at Calle Ocho on West 81st Street, has added another Upper West Side restaurant to his résumé, a makeover of the former Columbus Tavern. The menu, though basically American (various burgers, a wedge salad, crab cake sliders and steaks), has a definite Latin accent. There are ceviches and fish tacos.

It’s supposedly the same management group as Columbus Tavern the previous City Grill, along with some additional partners that have come on-board.

Seems very promising.

Elsewhere…

Posted back in October that popular kiddie spot Apple Seeds was launching an Upper West Side outpost — they finally opened for business today at 200 West End (between 69th & 70th).

Details from their press release:

Positioned perfectly on the family-friendly Upper West Side and located closely to multiple schools and parks, apple seeds will cater to families with children from newborn to five years old.  The new space will have incredible indoor features including:

-       Indoor Playground. The nearly 2,000 square foot indoor playground contains nine children’s museum-like exhibits as well as a gym-and-play space. The apple seeds playground is available to members every hour thatapple seeds is open, seven days a week.

-       The Perfect Class. apple seeds classes are engaging, entertaining, and are guaranteed to fascinate the most inquisitive minds. Five classrooms offer classes in music, art, movement, soccer, cooking, science, construction, ballet and more.

-       Birthday Celebrations. Providing an array of fun parties for kids turning one and up, the apple seeds birthday celebration is an all-inclusive experience allowing families to relax and truly enjoy the special day. Families can choose from 11 party themes ranging from music to sports, to animals, to cooking, princesses and pirates, construction, dinosaurs and more.

“We are so excited to share apple seeds with Upper West Side families,” says co-founders Alison Qualter Berna and Allison Schlanger.  “Together with our husbands and business partners, Craig Schlanger and Bobby Berna, we have created another state-of-the-art interactive play space that will provide families a sense of community in a modern, safe, clean environment where they can play, explore and have fun in the city.”

Additional information is available at appleseedsplay.com.

While the website says they open 7/2, I was told it’s actually today. I think 7/2 was the original date and it was moved up.

In closing news, if you missed the post earlier today, discounts at the on-going liquidation sale at the UWS Betsey Johnson are now up to 50% – 70% off.

Finally, a reminder that it’s Day 3 of the latest MTA FASTRACK maintenance project. There are major service changes and station closures on the 1/2/3 subway lines from 10:00 pm – 5:00 am through Friday morning.

Filed under: Discounts, Fashion, Food & Drink, Going Out, Kid Stuff, Manhattan, New York City, News, NYC, Openings/Closings, Restaurants, Shopping, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog, UWS 3 Comments »
Tags: 269 Columbus, A.G. Kitchen, Alex Garcia, Apple Seeds, Betsey Johnson, Calle Ohco, Closing, Kids, New York City, NYC, Opening, restaurant opening, Upper West Side, UWS