16-05-2025
A 35 Year-Old Italian Restaurant Slated To Close Is Rescued by a Legacy Space Uptown
In January, 35-year-old Uptown mainstay, Italian American Nino's Ristorante announced it would have to close in June. Owner Nino Selimaj told Eater that the original location is on track for demolition to make way for a 23-story, 148-unit building from the developer, the Manocherian Brothers. Now, Nino's has found a new location taking over what had been Le Périgord for 53 years, at 405 East 52nd Street, at First Avenue, he says. The original Nino's closed on Monday, allowing Selimaj the time to update the dining room of what had been Le Périgord until 2017, and tend to details like securing a liquor license.
Nino's has hosted the likes of Clint Eastwood, Angela Lansbury, Chris Noth, Chelsea Clinton, and members of The Sopranos such as the late James Gandolfini, serving classics like baked clams, homemade ravioli, rigatoni alla vodka, and chicken Parm. It's one of a handful of Italian American restaurants that have had to close (and in this case, relocate), with others including Williamsburg's Frost and Tomasso in Bensonhurst. Babbo is temporarily closed for takeover
With Stephen Starr taking over Babbo and Lupa — made famous by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich — Babbo, open since 1998, has closed to prepare for the transition of ownership. The Italian restaurant will be temporarily closing for renovations as we begin an exciting new chapter,' reads the Instagram post. 'We're working hard behind the scenes to bring you an elevated dining experience, with fresh updates and inspired touches — while keeping the heart and soul of Babbo you know and love.' No confirmation yet whether Mark Ladner is on track to take over as chef. Saga has rolled out a new tasting menu
The fine dining Saga menu in Fidi (70 Pine Street, 63rd Floor, at Pearl Street) has quietly changed over, according to a tipster. Since chef Charlie Mitchell took the helm in July, the tasting menu had kept to dishes the late Jamal James Kent served since the restaurant opened — until now. The restaurant is on track to shutter in August for renovations to the space, too. Ukrainian Festival is this weekend
The 49th annual St. George Ukrainian Festival is this weekend starting tonight at 5 p.m. and running through Sunday (30 E. Seventh Street, at Third Avenue). EV Grieve reports that 30,000 pierogies have been made in preparation.
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