Sushi Yugen has opened at 1144 First Avenue on the corner of East 63rd Street. This space was previously occupied by Japanese restaurant Totoya. Early reviews are positive. There’s no website for the restaurant yet, but you can follow @sushi_yugen_ues on Instagram for updates.
Capriotti’s has opened its second Upper East Side location at 1158 Second Ave at 61st Street (as we first reported they would be here). With another spot at 1711 Second Ave. between East 88th and 89th streets, Capriotti’s may be best known for its signature Bobbie sandwich, which was named the greatest sandwich in America by AOL in 2009. Also on the menu are a bunch of cheesesteaks, turkey subs, wagyu subs and more.
The owner of Italian restaurant Zucchero E Pomodori, Sayem Islam, plans to move the eatery from its current location, 1435 Second Avenue, to a new space at 1448 First Avenue, between 75th and 76th streets. At a recent Community Board 8 meeting, he also mentioned that the “neighborhood favorite since 1990” (as described on the restaurant’s website) will undergo a name change, but it isn’t clear at this time whether the menu will get an upgrade as well. We’ve reached out and will provide an update once we learn more.
A co-owner of Lilli and Loo, located at 1026 Third Avenue, is planning to open a new Chinese restaurant at 785 Lexington Ave, between 61st and 62nd streets. The name of the new restaurant is unclear at this time, but it is expected to open within 2-3 months, depending on how long construction takes. This new spot will be replacing Pick-A-Bagel.
Chef Julian Medina and Louis Skibar are planning a new Italian restaurant at 151 East 82nd Street, between Lexington and Third avenues. The name will be El-Italiano, and it will be replacing The Simone, a French restaurant which previously occupied the space. Medina and Skibar are the minds behind restaurants including Toloache, Coppelia, Tacuba Mexican Cantina, La Chula Taqueria, El Fish Shack and Kuxé.
We’ll provide updates once we learn more about all of the above!
