Celebrity chef bringing new restaurant to the Upper East Side
A celebrity chef is bringing his newest restaurant to the Upper East Side | Pylyp Sukhenko/Unsplash

Celebrity Chef Bringing New Restaurant to the Upper East Side

The Upper East Side has no shortage of great restaurants and more are on the way— set to open their doors in the weeks and months ahead. Each month, we get a preview of new establishments coming to the neighborhood as they seek a recommendation for a liquor license from Community Board 8’s Street Life Committee. This time around its a new spot from a celebrity chef, plus new Greek and sushi restaurants. 

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Unnamed Julian Medina Mexican Restaurant

Celebrity Chef Julian Medina— who battled an Iron Chef more than a decade ago and came within two points of victory— is bringing another amazing Mexican restaurant to the Upper East Side. 

The man behind the popular UES Mexican spot Toloache will be opening his newest establishment at 1825 Second Avenue, between 94th and 95th Streets— taking over the space belonging to the The Painted Lady Saloon, which recently closed its doors after two years.

Chef Julian Medina's new restaurant is opening at 1825 Second Avenue, between 94th and 95th Streets | Upper East Site
Chef Julian Medina’s new restaurant is opening at 1825 Second Avenue, between 94th and 95th Streets | Upper East Site

The new restaurant, which has not yet been named, will be open from noon to midnight seven days a week. Stay tuned.

Myconian House

This new Greek restaurant will move into the space that was formerly home to Giovanni Ristorante— located at 25 E. 83rd Street near the corner of Madison Avenue.

The owner of Myconian House has brought in Gregory Politis, formerly a co-owner at Korali and Yefsi on the UES, to run the restaurants’ day to day operations, a representative told the committee.

Myconian House will open at at 25 East 83rd Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues | Upper East Site
Myconian House will open at at 25 East 83rd Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues | Upper East Site

They also said that the restaurant will have a total of 56 seats spread across 19 tables and the restaurant’s bar. Hours will be from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm every day.

Ume Sushi Asian

This cozy sushi and ramen spot recently opened at 1154 First Avenue, between East 63rd and 64th Streets. Ume Sushi Asian seats thirty people across thirteen tables and is open from noon to 10:00pm, seven days a week, a representative said.

Ume Sushi will be opening at 1154 First Avenue, between 63rd and 64th Streets | Upper East Site
Ume Sushi will be opening at 1154 First Avenue, between 63rd and 64th Streets | Upper East Site

During Tuesday’s Street Life Committee meeting, we also learned two existing Upper East Side restaurants are planning to add alcohol to their menus.

Dulce Vida Latin Bistro

Located at 309 East 83rd Street, between First and Second Avenues, Dulce Vida Latino Bistro has been open in its new location since January, but the small Colombian cafe is just now seeking to give diners the option to have some wine and beer with their empanadas or arroz con pollo. 

Dulce Vida Latino Bistro is located at 309 East 83rd Street, between First and Second Avenues | Upper East Site
Dulce Vida Latino Bistro is located at 309 East 83rd Street, between First and Second Avenues | Upper East Site

The restaurant had previously been located on Lexington Avenue for more than a decade.

ALSO READ | T Bar Returns to the UES as an Opulent Two-Story Destination

Ajisai Japanese Cuisine

This longtime Upper East Side Japanese fusion restaurant is seeking to start serving beer in addition to wine, which it is currently on the menu. Ajisai Japanese Cuisine is located at 795 Lexington Avenue, between 61st and 62nd Streets.

Ajisai Japanese Cuisine is located at 795 Lexington Avenue, between 61st and 62nd Streets | Upper East Site
Ajisai Japanese Cuisine is located at 795 Lexington Avenue, between 61st and 62nd Streets | Upper East Site

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