MANHATTAN – A popular French cafe on Madison Avenue is growing its footprint here on the Upper East Side. Bel Ami Cafe is set to bring its tasty traditional French pastries as well as homemade soups, sandwiches and salads to a new location in Lenox Hill not too far from the original cafe.
Situated at the corner of East 65th Street and Lexington Avenue, brown paper still covers all the windows of Bel Ami’s new restaurant, keeping prying eyes from seeing what’s hiding inside— a beautiful space, transformed into a warm and welcoming, authentic French cafe with seating near the entrance and a display case at the opposite end, which was viewed but not photographed by Upper East Site.
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Last summer, Bel Ami, which means ‘nice friend’ in French, reportedly signed a ten year lease on the seven hundred square foot space.
The storefront had been vacant for years since Italian linen retailer Casa del Bianco moved from the corner of East 65th Street and Lexington Avenue into a second floor space across the street.
Upper East Site has learned the opening date for the new Bel Ami Cafe location is up in the air right now. The restaurant is ready to open to customers, but it is waiting on a building permit before it can open.
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If you can’t wait to try Bel Ami Cafe’s menu, filled with French delights like their fresh poached salmon sandwich, two varieties of quiches or the Nicoise salad, just head to their original cafe— which opened in 2010 — located on East 68th Street near Madison Avenue.
Relax and enjoy your meal at the cafe or take your order to go and have a picnic in nearby Central Park, just an avenue away.
Don’t forget to treat yourself with a chocolate croissant or a macaroon and a cup of La Colombe coffee, Bel Ami’s java of choice.
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