Henry’s, a local favorite for two decades, is closing its doors, owner Henry Rinehart announced on Sunday. The restaurant on Broadway between 105th and 106th, opened in 1999 and serves American bistro food. It has been a gathering place for people from throughout the neighborhood.
Rinehart said in a message to customers that he’s closing because of “changes in my personal and professional priorities.” He’s selling his interest in the restaurant to his business partner Scott Snyder, who was the chef at Henry’s for eight years. Snyder plans to open a restaurant called Boulevard Seafood Company, which has another location in Somerville, NJ. The menu for that location is here. Boulevard is set to open before Thanksgiving, though the exact date hasn’t been set.
Herny’s will hold farewell events in the coming days, and plans to announce those soon. “HENRY’s guests are the most wonderful gathering of human beings that I can imagine,” Rinerhart wrote.
“I’m bummed about Henry’s closing,” wrote Sally Koslow, a frequent customer, in an email. “Such a special restaurant. Not just good food, but an atmosphere sufficiently quiet, so you can actually have a conversation. Lots of round tables, not too close together. I look forward to the fish restaurant that will be replacing it, but will miss Henry’s.”
Thanks Henry! NEAL H Hurwitz
Loved Henrys!!
Glad there is Serafina next door to go to.
Will definetly miss you all💛
All the best to you.
Linda Marie
HENRY’S and I arrived the same year on the UWS. I had my first Christmas and New Years dinners there and it felt like home.
The whole atmosphere is inviting, the food delicious and service always friendly.
HENRY’S will be missed dearly in the neighborhood and it will be hard to replace it with a fish place that most likely be loud and trendy.
There are already too many eateries for young people who love to scream over the loud music.
HENRY’S was a true neighborhood and family restaurant with the most homey decor. An extension of everyone’s kitchen and dining room … Its closing will be another sad day on the UWS.
Wow! I’m so sorry to hear this. I’m a regular–was just there a few nights ago–and loved it.
I hope Boulevard keeps the Happy Hour/bar that Henry’s had.
This is a real loss. Henry’s never failed to please the pallet and offer a very comfortable and adult place to meet friends. A go to place for the holidays as well. I will greatly miss it as it is now. I personally find it hard to imagine a fish restaurant having lasting appeal, but I will give them a one time try.
I will miss your homemade potato chips…
Thanks for serving us Henry’s.
I can’t express how much this restaurant means to the neighborhood…from having holiday dinners here to meeting my Dad for brunch – to sitting at the bar and feeling comfortable to have a glass of wine alone and just walking by and KNOWING it’s there. Shall be deeply missed! Thank you Henry for adding such hospitality and quality to our community!
I will miss Henry’s, one of the nicest restaurants on the UWS.
Although I enjoyed the food, the service each time was often extremely slow due to what seemed to be a lack of servers. I am delighted that we will be acquiring a seafood restaurant which was needed in the area. Hope the owners will correct the above complaint. I wish them the best of luck as well as to Henry.
Love the place. Many a world problem solved over wine and mezzo plate. Just hope new place has good vibes and acoustics.
I’m beyond sad that Henry is leaving. Many meaningful get togethers there with friends here & gone.
Manhattan Valley will truly miss this restaurant….it has gone through major renovations over the years and was one of the 1st outside establishments to open north of West 96 Street. Truly a jewel in the community.
Can you clarify what you mean by “one of the 1st outside establishments to open north of West 96 Street”?
I have fond memories of good times at Henry’s. So glad he’s passing the torch to the chef.
OMG will Scott please please please keep the civilized sound and staff? Could we beg him not to change a
single thing – and to please please keep ‘Sing For Your Supper’?
I miss Henry already!
We will miss it too…Ingo Seidler and Angela Giral
Thanks Henry for a great ride and love for our community .Charles Carmody’s seat will always stay in my memory and the excellent honor given him by Henry.Good future.
Will another restaurant replace Henry’s? It’s such a special venue. Any info?
Mark asks: “Will another restaurant replace Henry’s? It’s such a special venue. Any info?”
I’m just guessing, but I have a hunch that the owner is selling his interest in the restaurant to his business partner Scott Snyder, who was the chef at Henry’s for eight years. The vibes tell me that Snyder plans to open a restaurant called Boulevard Seafood Company, which has another location in Somerville, NJ. Boulevard is set to open before Thanksgiving, though the exact date hasn’t been set.
Again, just a guess. Don’t quote me.
I’d like to offer a dissenting opinion. Bad food. Bad service. The only saving grace is that it was usually empty and therefore quiet.
I have little hope for the new place with the same chef.
Sad Face
That’s too bad. I loved going to Henry’s because the food is good, the service is lovely, and you can get a comfortable table with plenty of room and even have a private conversation without a lot of noise. In what other Manhattan restaurant do you get all of that?
Soooo SAD!!!
On the bright side, at least it’s not closing because the rent was increased.
Henry’s has been my choice for nearly two decades for the food, drink, Adirondack decor, and above all, the quiet atmosphere where it was possible to have a conversation without straining to hear or shouting to be heard. I will not be the only neighborhood resident to miss this legendary gathering place.
I have been a customer for as long as Henry’s has been around. It became my regular brunch place and whenever family or friends came from out of town, or an occasion to celebrate, Henry’s was the place to go. I am deeply saddened by Henry’s decision, and agree with one of the other patrons to maintain the tables far apart from one another and to have a quiet atmosphere so we can have a conversation. Good luck Henry in whatever endeavor you embark upon,
Sad news for our neighborhood. Another one bites the dust. I loved Henry’s. The food was reliably good and you could have a conversation there. I love this neighborhood but we have dearth of nice restauarants. I don’t care for Serafina at all. It’s a chain with no personality and mediocre food. Sigh.
The new place’s menu looks great. Looking forward to better fare and it looks like the same type of vibe. Looking forward to the change!
This is dreadful news. Henry’s is the ONLY restaurant that honors diners by allowing us to have a conversation heard only by our table. It’s the neighborhood place we want to dine or brunch because of that – we can only hope the new owners will be as considerate, and inviting, but Henry’s will be more than just missed!
My husband & I performed at ‘Birdland’ before it became Henry’s; lots of memories!
We have celebrated numerous happy occasions at Henry’s. We are sad to see Henry’s close and thank everyone on staff and in management for their excellent service.
I had my first date with my wife there. Good luck and thanks Henry!
I’m pretty sure Henry’s used to be Birdland. Am i right?
Oh, we will miss it. Please keep the table-spacing and the resultant ability to converse, for those of us with aging ears.
No no no, this is the saddest news 😢 I love Henry’s. Good food, room around the tables, and quiet enough for a conversation. An old standby. Last year we had Thanksgiving and New Year’s dinners there. Hopefully the new place will be just as nice.
The place was a theme restaurant for mediocre food and below mediocre service. Only thing that was high, was the prices. You can feed some Manhattanites sheiss on a plate and they will think that it is great IF you charge $29.95 for it.
Dear I have my opinions,
Next time you feel compelled to share an opinion like: “You can feed some Manhattanites sheiss on a plate and they will think that it is great IF you charge $29.95 for it.”
edit
Led by Henry Rinehart’s generous example, the restaurant always met the highest standards of HOSPITALITY! The most comfortable, pleasant, outdoor seating in the city, on such a pretty block! Most meals met, and many exceeded, expectations, and most the staff were exceptionally kind and warm, despite the unpredictable challenges that any nyc establishment faces. Having over 30 years experience in “the business,” I sadly and respectfully solute all involved, starting w the friend to all-Henry, and our sweet gracious server Jeanette. Thanks for many enjoyed evenings, and best wishes to all! The Cooper family