Helaine I remember how you loved soft shell crabs at Teachers, I remember teachers too and the fire. thanks for reminding me of the west side I moved into. 3,409 were here. The upper west side has always been a place where diversity and a sense of community thrived. The Best Restaurants On The Upper West Side The dough is primarily boiled then baked. Penne Alla Vodka. Reading it makes my heart beat faster and my body shiver with the joy of all our city friends, neighbors, and perhaps most of all friendly strangers. Over the years Ive made two feature films on the UWS inspired by the stories of people I met here. There are more than 30 public schools located in the area, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Campus, which houses seven separate high schools, and the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, which specializes in visual and performing arts. This email address is already subscribed, thank you! The soft shell crabs were fabulous and the Thai chef made some of the best Thai food in the city. Staples of this cuisine can involve collard greens, okra, grits, fried chicken and catfish, and yams. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. In these challenging times of the pandemic, I reflect back on what life was like for me on the Upper West Side, my favorite place in the world, as a budding actor/dancer/director in the late 1980s. Try the daikon cakes sauted in a sticky soy sauce with bean sprouts, eggs, and scallions, or the Thai Market egg crepe filled with shrimp, hot peppers, tofu, and sweet coconut sauce. What a great article, and what a great place to have been for three decades! El Toro Rojo Truck is primarily a Midtown fixture with a focus on Oaxacan flavors through its fajita bowls, tacos, and burritos. 467 Columbus Avenue (between 82nd and 83rd streets) (212) 585-1398. While housing options are almost exclusively apartments and condos, this does not mean that one cannot find a sizable home. Amy Ruths contains wall murals of beloved Black performers ranging from Whitney Houston to Lionel Richie. Designed by the likes of Emery Roth, these buildings often feature Art Deco and Beaux-Arts styling, with elaborate ornaments, dormers and cornices. An Italian chowhound from Edison, NJ tried it and liked it. Thanks for your smiles and happy recollections. Absolute Bagels also makes fantastic Thai iced tea. L to R.: Entering the apartment landing. Dim Sum Go Go skips on using carts but instead has you ordering from a top-notch menu. This was just a delight. Named "The Brockholst", the building was dubbed "The poor man's Dakota" by the New York Architectural Record. I don't know what he was doing with the photos other than meticulously putting them in boxes. oh gawd I hope not. Breaded Chicken - Pan-Fried to a Crispy Golden Brown Topped with Melted Mozzarella & Romano Cheese & Served Over Marinara Sauce - Feeds 2-4. The en-suite bath offers a separate shower and a soaking tubwith Hudson River views. Thai Beef Salad, Chicken Gai Yang, Chicken Sate, Pad Thai, Great Burgers, and brunches with H&H bagels on the tables! Restaurant history of the Upper West Side - eGullet Forums Louie & Ernie's Pizza in Pelham Bay, meanwhile, focuses on thin crust with the option of getting a Sicilian. This Italian dish evolved in the city first with the wave of Italian immigrants who settled in East Harlem, on the Lower East Side, and in Little Italy. Ernie is well known for his fondness for bubble baths with his Rubber . The average price of homes sold is right around $1 million. Thank you for the memories! What a treasure it is to live here! Paris Lived here in the mid 70s on WEA with my husband since the mid 1970s. ( I believe this was the same space.). The light-filled open kitchen has everything required to serve as the culinary engine for any event or quiet meal. Some of you must remember his cod Dijonnaise. 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It was his hobby and passion. Other Hangouts Back in the Day: Tap-a-Keg, Museum Cafe, The Only Child, Shelter, Marvins Gardens, West End Cafe (Mr. Goodbar, bar) Copper Hatch II, Gleasons, ?.. remember restaurants La Tablita, Captain Nemos, Le Bistro Monmarte, Julia!s, Panarella, Hisaes, Don Pepe, Indian Oven, all of the Hunan (fill in the blank) restaurants, and all the Japanese restaurants lining Columbus in the hi 60s to mid 70s? Sam Won Garden, which has been featured in the 2020 Michelin Guide, was first founded in Seoul. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. I definitely picked the right neighborhood to plant roots. 20+ EPIC Things to Do in the Upper West Side (Local's Guide) Another long-timer, Delmonicos in Lower Manhattan has been offering fine dining since 1837, with must-try dishes including their signature boneless ribeye, lobster Newberg, and their dessert, baked Alaska. Our favorite Upper West Side restaurants for all sorts of dining situations. Our favorite is the pork shoulder one, but they also do them with steak, chicken, and shrimp. A quality dim sum meal is a cultural as well as a culinary experience. I still know almost all the old Thai chefs that used to work there. . Cherry Restaurant on Columbus Ave; a special neighborhood place, where you could be well taken care of even if $$ were limited. All Destinations It was a place where everybody knew your name. Recognizable by its three towers between 75th and 76th Streets on Broadway, this turn-of-the-20th-century luxury Upper West Side condominium seamlessly combines classic architectural design with modern finishes. A shame it had to close with the sale of the property. New York's Fabulous 1980s and '90s Club Scene - HuffPost Actually the Allstate was the Cheers of the UWS. . Email Stuart there fathers were home with them . Get exclusive content and deals, just for signing up. Thanks for the memories. Photography wasn't his profession. New York's Upper West Side vs. Upper East Side: Where to Live When those from out-of-town think of Manhattan, they are more often than not picturing the grand prewar buildings and vibrant streets just west of Central Park. I lived on 79th and Amsterdam for most of the 80s. Great people. What is indisputable, however, is the Upper West Sides indelible legacy as one of NYCs most famous and beloved neighborhoods. All of the food is served on bright-colored trays, so we like to think of this place as a cafeteria for people who have fun and enjoy enchiladas. still the best ever. My roommates were a black Cuban Shakespearean actor named Ascanio Sharpe and the now-famous actor Jeffrey Wright who taught me slang and would crack up at my European accent. another Cherry patron! Great reminder of the wonderful things that bring us together. With a wrap-around terrace and a solarium, the sprawling five-bedroom co-op is blessed with unobstructed 360-degree views of Central Park, the Hudson River, the Midtown skyline, and the George Washington Bridge from every window as well as its dazzling outdoor spaces. Here, you can order plain, everything, poppy, salt, and pumpernickel, among other bagel choices. Tap a Keg, Marvin Gardens, th bar restaurant on 79 and Columbus (northwest corner). Location See an original Banksy piece Banksy is a famous (and anonymous) street artist known the world over for his thought-provoking street art. Just off the living room is a gem of atemperature-controlled solarium with built-inseating for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. 3 years later we moved on up to West 53rd off 8th which was also like the wild west and we spent most nights at, conveniently, Studio 54such good times and not much money needed. I came home and told my roommate that the only problem was that my couch would probably not fit into his apartment. This classic Upper West Side restaurant is more about dining in a dimly-lit, red-leather-booth institution than it is about any single plate of food. Brass plaques in the bar for seriuos regulars, and one of the inspirations for Cheers. 5) Cheesy bodega sandwiches . These photos, from the early 80s into the late 90s, give glimpses of what it was like at iconic clubs such as the Limelight and Wetlands Preserve. An Italian food lover from Bethel Park, PA tried it. 10 Iconic NYC Foods: Where to Go and What to Order - Blog Fun memories. The wait staff then would take a Polaroid picture. thank you so much. I was so pissed when McDonalds took over the space! During a past visit, some of our favorite pieces were the lightly seared sea bass, striped jack with smoky yuzu sauce, and flaky, sweet unagi. Grossingers was the bakery- LaRochelle was on the corner with phone booths in the window & Cherry Restaurant had a pass through to 60 West 76th St. for food. Yes, Murray was the owner and manager of both Teachers and Teachers Too until he died. Have one with cream cheese (we call it a schmear), or opt for a lox and bagel sandwich. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the duo sang in gospel groups before working as backing vocalists from the early 1960s. Upper West Side Restaurants Make a free reservation Apr 28, 2023 7:00 PM 2 people Let's go Restaurant experiences trending in Upper West Side View all Special menu Join Us For Happy Hour Everyday at the Bar 3-6 Pm Sea Salt Upper East Side $11.00 per person Reserve Special menu Pre-Theatre & Steak Why are bagels so crispy yet chewy? There are the noteworthy residents as wellfueling the cultural scene that has long been at the heart of New York's vibrancy. my dad was strict as hell. I have lived on the Upper West Side all of my life, remember so many of the things you wrote about so beautifully. Pizza is never boring in New York City. Before reading these lovely comments, the only view I had of the old Upper West Side was from Youve Got Mail. Prices vary depending on a variety of factors that include proximity to Central Park, floor number and the repute of the building. Ernie Smith | New York Social Diary Stop by for a half-bird with skin that tastes like its coated in brown sugar, and add a side of boiled green bananas. Sign in to see bookings, get credits & exclusive offers, Sign up to see bookings, get credits & exclusive offers. The sweet drink is neither egg nor cream. The dining room is even designed to look like a market, with signs hanging from the ceiling. I LOVE NY. Great food, great regulars, great feel. El Mitote serves the Upper West Side's best Mexican food, including Guadalajara-style dishes like brothy black beans. From classic Jewish delis and Dominican standbys to some of the best places to eat Szechuan or Vietnamese food in Manhattanthe options on the Upper West Side will satisfy nearly any mood you (or the people you need to please) are in. Steve, a world famous comedic opera singer would serenade us at the boat basin and Carol Tannenhauser, writer of so many wonderful articles at the Rag, climbed all the stairs to my apartment on a wintry day to hand me a coffee mug for an anecdote I had written. The exact boundaries of New York City's Upper West Side are a subject of debate. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Here's one more for Chinatown. Throughout the apartment are palehardwood floors,zoned A/C and heatin every room, skylights, built-ins, andplenty ofstorage. People found this by searching for: Ernie's Menu Broadway Ny, Ernie's Nyc, Ernies Nyc, Ernies Restaurant Nyc, Ernie's In Greenwich Village, Ernie's Greenwich Village, and Ernie's Restaurant Nyc. Print. New York visitors can eat pizza at joints like Lombardi's or sample several during a pizza tour. That penthousea rooftop villa with the interiors of a modern farmhouse mixed with a loftis now on the market for$12,500,000. Oh, and the raspberry yoghurt pie to die for!!! The atmosphere was casual and pleasant, it was close to home, and while it wasnt going to get 5 stars in any gourmet competition, the food was always good and the choices were varied enough to accommodate your entire group. Dont let the name fool you. The Allstate Cafe West End Avenue between Bway & West End. I always hope to get her when I am on line to pay! Amy Schumer's Upper West Side penthouse under contract for $15M This ritual is clearly part of the deal if you work at this counter-service spot, and itll make you smile. Im writing a book and Im including things like Teachers, Teachers Too, the restaurant behind the scenes, the Thai-immigrant experience etc etc. I felt the same way when I was growing up and always knew I wanted to live here. A great read! As everyones saying, this is so lovely and heartfelt and moreover it rings so true. Do you own Ernie's (CLOSED)? Its central point is known as Korea Way, along West 32nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Some spaces reach 6,000 square feet or more. BLVD Bistro has an all-day menu with modernized soul food classics. Excellent Chicken Gai Yang and cucumber salad. Our favorite is the pork shoulder one, but they also do them with steak, chicken, and shrimp. From old-school staples to restaurants changing the dining landscape of the neighborhood, these are our favorite spots on the Lower East Side. Culinary trends ranging from the cronut a croissant-donut hybrid by Dominique Ansel to tried-and-true dishes like hot dogs, bagels, pizza, and pastrami. Great neighborhood joints. Reinforced by its enduring presence in popular culture, the Upper West Side has become the quintessential New York neighborhood. You recognize faces as you walk down the street.. In these challenging times of the pandemic, I reflect back on what life was like for me on the Upper West Side, my favorite place in the world, as a budding actor/dancer/director in the late 1980's. Born in Germany with a mother of Jewish background, I always felt I had been born into the wrong country. Some say that the Manhattan neighborhood ends with Central Park at 110th Street while others include 111th to . McDs isnt closing because they cant afford to pay the rent. Eat a bagel with smoked whitefish or nova from their takeout area on the corner of 80th Street and Broadway. command top dollar. Thanks for sharing! There was a lovely cashier who made it to Cashier of the month with the fastest grocery bagging. A sign better than the groundhog that the seasons are finally changing. You can also get great pastrami sandwiches and traditional Jewish delicacies at 2nd Avenue Deli, another popular restaurant with spots on Manhattans Upper East Side and Midtown East. I look forward to seeing her again and telling her how much I appreciated her memoir. I remember the Teachers restaurants and Hanrattys. The original Miriam is in Park Slope, and if you walk by on a weekend afternoon, youll see a line of people out the door. "This is a major loss for the neighborhood," wrote Jeff, a customer who told us about the closing. Theres the Lincoln Center, the American Folk Art Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, just to name a few.. Upper West Side. Its hard to narrow this down, but here are some options for discerning foodies. To another 30 years at least! I recall seeing Leonard Bernstein and Tiny Tim walking around on 72, the actor Martin Balsam at a nearby table in some Italian joint whose name escapes me. As for entrees, look at the celebrity-named platters such as The President Barack Obama (fried, smothered, baked or barbecue chicken), or you might try their variation on chicken and waffles. The Astor was commissioned by William Waldorf Astor in 1901, updated with the addition of a third tower in . OLLIE'S TO GO - UWS, New York City - Upper West Side - Tripadvisor My dad only told me about Daryl Hannah, Sean Connery and Al Pacino. Take the offerings in Scarr's Pizza for example. This Chinese meal of small plates usually consists of seafood, meat, and vegetable dumplings paired with other snacks and tea. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please contact us at [emailprotected]. Barcelona. Yes, Ernie's Mexican Restaurant offers both delivery and takeout. Always had a good meal there. As for the name, the term for soul food became prevalent around the 1960s as the word soul frequently symbolized Black culture. You were so adventurous and brave and gained many memories. 210 W 94th St, New . and who watched your kids while they ere sleeping? Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Sunday 12:00 noon - 9:30pm Closed Mondays While perhaps more commercialized than it used to be, the neighborhood has still retained its charm and good taste. (Im pretty sure my dad washed his hands every single time he leaves the bathroom so dont worry! I was married for over 40 yrs and only learned about myself when my son died. Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Upper West Side | New York NY - Facebook Miss that place sooo much. Chipotle, etc, better quality??? I think of Teachers every spring around this time. New York Barry, came by and asked me straight out: how to find the perfect mate? New England Car Shows and Cruise Nights - Good Diggin The best thing are the people, my neighbors, from all walks of life, a tolerant colorful mix of ethnicities, orientations, families, artists, intellectuals, business people, kooks and homeless. Here, in Chinatown, you can conveniently check off your order on a menu before you dine. A few years later I moved to 71st Street into an old brownstone budding with a crooked staircase in which a friend had built a wooden platform where I could tap dance I would time it so I wouldnt bother my downstairs neighbor Ned Eisenberg, a fine Broadway actor, and jumped only during his matinee and evening performances. In NYC, soul food is often linked to Harlem, a neighborhood rich with Black heritage. By the way, that was one of the worst McDonalds on earth. But rarely are they as memorable as the Nashville Hot Chickwich version at this casual Korean restaurant on the Upper West Side. There are ribs and catfish tacos on the menu, but what you really come here for are the otherworldly biscuit sandwiches that are actually just huge piles of food that happen to include bread on the top and the bottom. And those arent even the best slices here. Although I am new to the neighborhood, after decades in Washington Heights, this sweet, lovely essay captures so much about what I love about the West Side (my sons used to call the top of Washington Heights the real upper west side) and New York City more generally. Melbas offers Southern comfort food with hearty and healthy choices. Whether youre planning for a weekend or youve been here for years, theres so much to, As two of the most popular attractions in New York City, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are probably on your must-see, What do Andy Warhol, the Village People, and Jack Kerouac all have in common? The combination of fat, salt, and spice makes any fried chicken sandwich at least some degree of delicious. Known as a family gathering place, our restaurant proudly serves Southern. On a Croissaant + $1.00. And for the best soul food, its hard to go wrong with any restaurant in this neighborhood. I have so many stories. I loved this. Without Meat $8.95. The many private school options include some of the most distinguished institutions in the country, including Trinity School, known for its highly selective admissions process and high rate of graduating students who go on to attend Ivy League schools.