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Read the press release here.

Meatball Shop Opening on Upper West Side

By Emily Frost | February 13, 2014 3:33pm
 Two meatballs eateries are moving in, just doors away from each other. 
Meatball Shop
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UPPER WEST SIDE — The Meatball Shop is expanding its empire yet again.

The popular restaurant will open its sixth outpost at 447 Amsterdam Ave. in the coming months, after taking over the short-lived Social House space, co-owner Michael Chernow announced.

The new eatery, sandwiched between 81st and 82nd streets, will undergo renovations for several months after the meatball crew takes over the site's lease in March, he told Community Board 7 Wednesday night.

The Meatball Shop opened its fifth location this past August on the Upper East Side, and regularly draws long lines of fans at its other outposts in Chelsea, the West Village, the Lower East Side and Williamsburg.

Chernow said he wanted to open in the neighborhood for a long time, but "it was too damn expensive until I walked into this place and it was an amazing deal," he said.

Social House, which the West Side Rag reported opened in in August, was a 1,400-square-foot space marketed for $13,000 a month by Walker Malloy & Company.

An average entree of meatballs and other dishes will range from $17-$18 per bill at The Meatball Shop, which also hopes to serve alcohol at its new location until 4 a.m. The request was approved by Community Board 7's Business and Consumer Issues Committee Wednesday night.

"His location is going to change that whole corridor," said Columbus Avenue BID member Don Evans at the meeting. "A year from now he’s going to be a very important piece of the restaurant community."

In other restaurant news:

►Just a few doors up the street from The Meatball Shop, another new meatball joint will soon be staking its claim. Polpette by Nicky Meatballs announced in September that it was moving in and renovating the former home of Good Enough to Eat, with plans to open in November.

Owner and chef Nick Mormando could not be reached for comment on the anticipated opening, but an awning advertising the restaurant was recently hung from the address. Mormando has said he's "famous" for his meatballs, which he promised to keep affordable.

 Tavern on the Green is still a few weeks away from opening, co-owner James Caiola said Wednesday. Attempts to run gas into the restaurant went awry, pushing back the opening date, explained Marc Glazer, who is working with the owners. The restaurant is also applying to the State Liquor Authority to add another bar, which will primarily be used to serve private parties. 

 The Chipotle on Broadway between West 82nd and 83rd streets is applying to serve beer and margaritas, a move approved by Community Board 7. The chain is also adding tofu to its menu as of March 3, said area manager Adam Gianatassio.