🚕 Uniqlo Opens An NYC Coffee Shop

Good Morning NY!

This edition is packed with big moves and bold changes in the city’s dining.

An iconic dessert shop says goodbye to its original home, while a global fashion brand adds coffee to its NYC flagship.

A celebrity-backed cheesesteak joint gets a new landlord and a pandemic-born restaurant evolves into a Michelin-recognized hotspot.

Last but not least, a beloved Italian eatery expands beyond the city, bringing its signature flavors to Westchester.

A lot to cover before the weekend so let’s dive in!

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Milk Bar Bids Farewell to Its Original East Village Home

After 17 years, Milk Bar has officially closed its original East Village bakery at 251 E. 13th Street.

The beloved dessert spot, known for its compost cookies and Cereal Milk soft serve, decided not to renew its lease.

Staff from the East Village location have been relocated to other Milk Bar stores across New York City.

The company’s flagship store at 1196 Broadway remains open, along with five other locations in the city.

This closure follows other recent shutdowns, including Milk Bar outposts in Seattle and Boston.

Founded in 2008 by Christina Tosi as an offshoot of Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Milk Bar became an iconic name in NYC’s dessert scene.

The closure likely reflects rising rent prices rather than financial struggles, as the company continues to expand.

Milk Bar recently launched a new location in Chicago, showing its commitment to growth despite this setback.

While the East Village shop is gone, New Yorkers can still find Milk Bar’s signature treats throughout the city.

Uniqlo Opens Its First NYC Coffee Shop

Uniqlo has officially launched its first North American coffee shop, Uniqlo Coffee, inside its Midtown Manhattan flagship.

The café is located on the second floor of the store at 660 Fifth Avenue.

It offers a minimalistic menu featuring coffee, espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha lattes, hot chocolate, orange juice, and water.

This new addition replaces a Starbucks that closed in 2018.

Uniqlo Coffee follows a trend of Japanese retailers incorporating cafés into their U.S. locations.

Muji recently opened Muji Food Market in Chelsea Market with a similar concept.

Unlike Uniqlo’s Asian coffee shops, which serve an expanded menu of pastries and desserts, the NYC location is currently beverage-focused.

The café aligns with Uniqlo’s history of blending fashion and food culture, as seen in its food-themed graphic T-shirts.

With this opening, Uniqlo adds a new reason for shoppers to linger inside its Fifth Avenue store.

Bradley Cooper’s Cheesesteak Spot Gets a New Landlord

Alchemy Ventures has purchased the building at 151 Avenue A for $10.75 million.

The property is home to Danny & Coop’s, the cheesesteak shop co-owned by Bradley Cooper and Danny DiGiampietro.

The restaurant, which opened in December, has been drawing long lines for its $17.45 cheesesteaks.

Despite the change in ownership, Danny & Coop’s is staying put.

The restaurant has a five-year lease with an option to extend for another five years.

Alchemy Ventures expressed excitement about having Cooper as a tenant and plans to continue to invest in well-located properties.

For now, fans of Danny & Coop’s can keep enjoying their cheesesteaks without any disruptions.

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Pandemic Pivot to Michelin Recognition

Sami & Susu started as a general store during the pandemic, selling specialty goods and simple prepared foods.

Co-founders Amir Nathan and Justin Anderson wanted to showcase their culinary talents beyond sandwiches and salads.

In 2022, they transformed the space into a full-service restaurant.

The transition led to overwhelming demand, with reservations now booked weeks in advance.

The restaurant’s name, Sami & Susu, is inspired by an Israeli TV show about coexistence and a Romanian steakhouse from Nathan’s hometown.

Its menu blends Israeli and European flavors, featuring dishes like hanger steak over creamed corn and crispy sweetbreads.

Sami & Susu has now earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for three years in a row.

This recognition is given to restaurants offering high-quality food at reasonable prices.

Felice Expands to Westchester

Felice, the beloved NYC-based Italian restaurant, has officially opened its first Westchester location.

The new restaurant is located at 55 Abendroth Ave., taking over the former Saltaire space.

Felice was founded in 2007 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and has since expanded across NYC, Long Island, and even South Florida.

The Port Chester menu highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients alongside imported Italian specialties.

Signature dishes include Branzino al Cartoccio, Pappardelle Salsiccia, and Pizzette Formaggi & Funghi.

Culinary Director Iacopo Falai leads the kitchen, ensuring a menu that honors traditional Italian flavors.

The beverage program features hand-selected Tuscan wines, small-production organic and biodynamic labels, and signature cocktails.

Housed in a 7,600-square-foot former grain warehouse from 1903, the space combines historic charm with modern Italian design.

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