Heading a few blocks outside the East Village for a moment... multiple readers passed along word that the Gramercy Cafe on Third Avenue and 17th Street had been dark all weekend.
Signage soon arrived at the 24/7 diner... telling patrons not to worry...
The other sign thanks Elias and his team for 24 great years... and notes that the corner spot will soon be known as Gramercy Kitchen...
[Photo via Harry Weiner]
The interior looks to be in some disarray...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Valentine's Day tragedies: When you mix up Gramercy Cafe and the Gramercy Tavern
Men on laptops were working there late last week. Pies remained in the refrigerated case behind the counter. It was an odd site.
ReplyDeleteIs 7-11 slated to open in the space Mariella's Pizza used to occupy?
This was a very odd spot. Even when they were completely empty they would steer you to the smallest and crappiest table, and their service was abrupt at best. The food used to be better but went steadily downhill over the years. Hopefully they bring in better staff and cooks, but the days of the old New York Coffee Shops are numbered. The old Lyric reopened as The Tivoli, but the renovation made it look gray and bland, and the old crowds with students from NYU and SVA are long gone. There's still Joe Jr down the block if you want the real greasy spoon experience,
ReplyDeleteANOTHER DINER BITES THE DUST...SAD!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anon @9:46. This used to be my go to place for breakfast before or after a doctor's appointment or a test at Quest (21 Street). I found the staff fine, but there was a decline in the quality of food. Indeed the days of "Coffee Shops" is limited--Viand at 76 Street and Madison closed more than a year ago. Part of the problem about quality is, I think, that after many years in business (and sometimes an owner who is no longer present 24/7) things slack off. That has certainly happened at Cozy where I used to be a regular. A few months ago I went in for a breakfast at 7:30 on a Sunday morning. Not very busy. Scrambled eggs and toast should take 15 minutes (if that long). At 20 minutes I realized the food was on the shelf, but the staff was busy talking to one another. When the food came, 25 minutes after I ordered it--I walked out. I haven't been there since.
ReplyDeleteCozy is still doing fine. Thank God for Joe Jrs. And y'all should patronize the Coffee Shop on 14th at Ave A, that's the real thing too!
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's not in the E.V. but Coopertown Diner on First Ave at 20th St is old-school awesome too!
ReplyDeleteJust went to Cooper yesterday. Very good.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Little Poland lives on!!
The Times has a nice piece on vanishing
ReplyDeleteDiner culture
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/nyregion/diners-new-york-city.html
'Plenty of coffee shops/diners, Giovanni.
ReplyDeleteStar On 18, Hector's Diner, Pearl Street Diner, Square Diner, Empire Diner (the last five standalone diners in Manhattan) Waverly Restaurant, Washington Square Diner, Cozy Soup 'N'Burger, West Side Coffee Shop, Amelia's Cafe, and many more.
I happen to know the new and old owners well. They are all in the restaurant/diner business, and they really know their stuff all around. Expect good things here.
ReplyDeleteit's june 1st and they are still not open
ReplyDelete