Some ominous signs have been up recently at Trattoria Amici but the most recent one placed on the eatery at Lenox and 129th Street pretty much says it all. There have been indications of legal problems at the Central Harlem Italian restaurant that has been around over a year now (click center photo to enlarge) and the current "For Lease" tarp over the awning confirms that the business is indeed closed permanently. This establishment always seemed a little sterile and not inviting so lets hope the next one that comes along can ad a little character to the space. The building seems to be into the all-awnings-must-match mindset which might be part of the problem (the wine store next door looked exactly the same).
Trattoria Amici got busted for serving liquor to minors, hence the restraining order shown on your second picture.
ReplyDeleteA little before that, they got closed down by the Health Department temporarily. After all of THAT I can see why the owners would just throw up their hands.
I’m actually hoping for a Mexican restaurant in that space. But anybody who tries to go over 15 bucks an entrée in that area is doomed for certain no matter what the cuisine.
The place was never exactly thriving before the Health Dept. and police shutdowns. From my eye it is a mystery how they even lasted long enough to reach those obstacles. Having visited a few times, I would say that the problem had more to do with how it was being run than witn an inability of the neighborhood to support it.
ReplyDeleteIt is actually a very large space for a restaurant. To be profitable it would have to turn ALOT of tables every night. I don't know whether the neighborhood could support a restaurant that large. But perhaps partitioning it into two complementary sorts of places - perhaps a bakery or a coffee shop in one half, and a full sit-down restaurant in the other - might be a solution.
My husband and I went a couple of times. One of the side dishes was broccoli rabbe, and we were given some over-cooked broccoli instead. (And that was the best thing we had to eat there.) The last time we went, we met the cook, who was standing in front of the building. He was wearing a filthy t-shirt and cap, and looked like he hadn't bathed in a year or so. We skipped dinner and ate at home....
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