The popular French fries and various sauces at B. Cafe, which is moving to a new expanded location.
By Carol Tannenhauser
New restaurants and bars are on their way to the Upper West Side, and three of them passed an important hurdle on Wednesday when they won approval for liquor licenses from a community board committee (they still need final approval from the state liquor board). Learn more about them below.
Guyer’s
This wasn’t the first time Cynthia Guyer appeared before the Community Board Business & Consumer Issues Committee requesting a liquor license for the same location. Guyer was a partner in the former Wine and Roses wine bar at 286 Columbus Avenue between 73rd and 74th street, until a rift and lawsuit ended the relationship and Guyer was “bought out.”
“It didn’t work out for them and the landlord called and asked me if I’d like the lease back,” she said.
This time Guyer is going it alone, and the name of her new wine bar underscores it: Guyer’s will open in June. The concept is the same as Wine and Roses, “except better,” Guyer said. “This time I’m asking for a liquor license, so if anyone wants a cocktail they can have it. But it’s still very much a wine bar, with a mellow and quiet crowd, probably in their 40s and 50s. I’m planning on serving brunch. The food will be delicious and, hopefully, the neighborhood will love having it back.”
No live music. Completely refurbished, including an old-world wood bar. Open Sunday through Thursday, noon to 2 am; Friday and Saturday till 3 am.
B. Café West
When the owner of B. Café West announced that he was moving from 566 Amsterdam Avenue, between 87th and 88th street, to 620 Amsterdam, at 90th street — the site of the Key Fresh & Natural and Saigon Grill before that — the committee and crowd let out a collective “Whoa!”
“I’m expanding,” he laughed, “though only half of the space am I taking.”
“Best mussels in the world!” someone in the audience shouted.
“And French fries,” someone else added.
Open seven days a week, B. Café West offers over 50 artisan Belgian beers, homemade waffles and live jazz on Sundays from 12 to 4. Prices and other hours to be determined.
B. Cafe West will operate in its old location for about six months until new location is ready.
Caledonia
Right now, it is “locked, secured and gutted,” but, come September, 424 Amsterdam Avenue, between 80th and 81st streets, where Café Con Leche used to be, will become Caledonia, a high-end Scottish restaurant and lounge.
Owner Michael Ferrie has another location on the Upper East Side, and also owns The Hamilton, a high-end whiskey lounge at 998 Amsterdam, between 109th and 110th street. Caledonia will open daily at 4 pm and close at 2 am on weekdays and 4 am on weekends.
Check out other recent openings and closings here.
Great to see some new businesses!
When is the beer bar on 72nd Street between Broadway and West End going to open?
Are you thinking of the Beer Shop that opened on Amsterdam and 81st? Or is there another one opening on 72nd? (I’m crossing my fingers for the ladder
“Latter”
Gebhard’s Beer Culture is opening on 72nd. They’re gutting the old Mike’s Bistro space right now but it seems like a fair amount of work remains, based on what I can see when walking by.
WSR coverage: https://www.westsiderag.com/2015/12/11/new-craft-beer-pub-and-restaurant-gets-the-go-ahead-for-a-liquor-license
Serious question from someone who hasn’t been to a bar in years. What’s the attraction of Beer Culture when there are already 4 bars in the neighborhood? Two on the same block as Beer Culture, another on 72nd by Citibank, and another on 72nd btwn Columbus and Amsterdam.
That aside, I’m curious about trying the Scottish food!
are there four or just two? Malachy’s by Chase on 72nd & Columbus and Emerald Inn on the south side of 72nd bet. Amsterdam and West End. PD O’Hurley’s was by Citibank but closed years ago. They moved to the west side of Broadway, but i think that closed and became Emerald Inn.
In any case, those were or are all old Irish bars. classic Guinness and a burger spots. the hope is that Beer Culture will have a much more interesting selection of both beer and food.
Thanks for the tip! Looking forward to the opening
The notice for public comment at the CB meeting for Caledonia only gave a dba name, with no indication they were a bar-lounge open till 4 am on weekends. Is that normal?
Surprises me, but hope they’re a good neighbor. I don’t really know what high-end Scottish food is yet!
Deep-fried candy bar jokes aside, Scotland has a great culinary tradition. Expect good beef and smoked fish.
Artisanally-curated, farm-to-table haggis. There will undoubtedly be drunken people playing bagpipes on the sidewalk at 3 am every weekend.
Excited to have Caledonia on the UWS! I love the UES location.