Upper West Side: Tangled Vine Opens, Starbucks Closes, Eighty One Bites the Dust, Roth’s Steakhouse Shutters

Tangled Vine, which opened recently on Amsterdam and 81st is another small plates and wine bar joint. The small plates were fine. In fact, the mushroom fricassee had a nice crunchy richness to it. But like so many places these days, the noise level was deafening.  Every surface in the place–from the tables to the walls–was hard edged; no noise buffer whatsoever. I was dining with a close friend. I may have heard every other word as she screeched to be heard above the din.

Photo: via Roths courtesy Westside Independent.

Meanwhile, three neighborhood spots–Starbucks, Eighty One, and Roth’s Steakhouse—have shuttered, according to reports by the West Side Independent.

The Starbucks at 98th and Broadway was a dreary place, but if you were desperate for a shot of java, it offered a convenient option.

Ed Brown’s Eighty-One tried mightily to bring fine dining to the Upper West Side.  But then the recession hit. Ed tried to scale back is offerings, but it wasn’t enough.  Read my interview with Brown on Eighty One and on the state of Upper West Side dining.

Roth’s, at Columbus and 93rd,  apparently plans to open at another location,says the Westside Independent.

More From foodandthings

• Upper West Side: Hummus Place Opens on Broadway
• Halloween: Dylan’s Candy Bar May Move to the Upper West Side
• Upper West Side Fatty Crab Finally Opens

Ask foodandthings To Recommend Your Posts

Related posts:

1. Upper West Side Fatty Crab Finally Opens
2. Upper West Side: Pinch & S’Mac, the Pizzza and Mac ‘n Cheese Combo Closes.
3. Upper West Side Restaurant Closes