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Pecan Cafe, Swedish Kids' Store and Global Table Open on Upper West Side

By Leslie Albrecht | December 5, 2011 9:55am

OPENINGS

Pecan, a cafe whose menu includes a roasted sweet potato sandwich and black lentil salad, opened earlier this week at 387 Amsterdam Ave., near West 78th Street, the New York Times reported.

Also this week, the Swedish kids clothing store Polarn O. Pyret opened at 428 Columbus Ave., at West 81st Street.

Blockheads Burritos, which serves $4 frozen margaritas, opened on Nov. 15 at 175 W. 90th St. at Amsterdam Avenue. Papasito Mexican Grill & Agave Bar opened earlier this fall at 2728 Broadway, at West 105th Street. Mamajuana will soon replace the restaurant Rancho at 570 Amsterdam Ave., between West 87th and 88th streets, neighborhood blog West Side Rag reported.

Cupcakes are also easier to find than ever. A Crumbs Bake Shop opened recently at 2814 Broadway and West 109th Street. Baked by Melissa, which sells mini cupcakes, opened in late October at 2325 Broadway between West 84th and 85th streets, reported Food and Things.

Another relatively recent arrival on the sweets list is Momofuku Milk Bar at 561 Columbus Ave. and West 87th Street, which sells innovative desserts such as "crack pie," by star pastry chef Christina Tosi.

The home accessories store Global Table opened in early November at 471 Amsterdam Ave., at West 83rd Street, the New York Times reported. The shop carries "ceramic dishes, glassware, vases, utensils and other accessories from around the world," according to the Times.

California-based coffee store The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is reportedly slated to open not one, but two Upper West Side outposts soon. One is at West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, according to the New York Post, the other is at West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, reported neighborhood blog My Upper West.

In booze news, the Whole Foods at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle opened a bar called On Tap earlier this month. "It features ten beers on tap, 100 more in bottles/cans, eight wines, and seating for 45," reported My Upper West.

Also at the Time Warner Center, a J. Crew men's store with a dedicated suit shop opened in early November, reported My Upper West. Well-dressed men will also be pleased to know that a Brooks Brothers store is opening at 2381 Broadway, between West 86th and 87th streets.

A "cocktail-themed gastropub" called Slightly Oliver opened at 511 Amsterdam Ave. near West 84th Street in early November, Grub Street reported. The menu includes "fish and chips, steak and kidney pie, housemade macaroni and cheese, and sticky toffee pudding," according to Grub Street.

If you're in the mood to redecorate, head to the newly opened Farrow & Ball showroom at 322 Columbus Ave. between West 75th and 76th streets. The paint and wallpaper showroom carries "the entire range of Farrow & Ball interior and exterior eco-friendly paints, as well as the complete collection of wallpapers which are prominently displayed on full length wallpaper drops," according to a statement from the company.

COMING SOON

Lady Gaga's singing career could help Upper West Siders improve their dining options. Gaga's dad, Joe Germanotta, who reportedly shares his superstar daughter's earnings, has taken over the old Vince & Eddie's space at 70 W. 68th St., to open a new restaurant called Joanne, with celebrity chef Art Smith at the helm.

Germanotta, who lives on West 70th Street, told DNAinfo he planned to open Joanne's around Thanksgiving, but a delay in renovating the space has pushed the opening to around Christmas, according to West Side Rag.

Speaking of celebrity-oriented establishments, Organic Avenue, a vegan juice fast and raw food company that stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston have raved about, is planning a soft opening on Dec. 13 for its newest boutique at 461 Amsterdam Ave., near West 82nd Street, a spokeswoman told DNAinfo. "After five years of delivery to the Upper West Side, this will be a welcome change in the neighborhood," said spokeswoman Kari Neering in an email.

The newly renovated New York Historical Society at 170 Central Park West will soon open a new restaurant to feed visitors. Caffe Storico, by Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr, will serve Italian food. It will be open seven days a week, even when the museum isn't.

CLOSING

Discount clothing retailers Syms and Filene's Basement filed for bankruptcy in early November. The chains said they'll liquidate their assets over the holiday season and close their stores sometime in January. The two stores have a combined outlet at 2222 and 2228 Broadway, between West 79th and 80th streets.

The Gap at 2373 Broadway and West 86th Street is closing. The store said it's not renewing its lease, which ends in February, according the real estate firm handling the 12,300 square-foot space.

For more Openings & Closings news, check out DNAinfo's regular Openings & Closings columns in every Manhattan neighborhood, including the Upper West Side. Neighborhood blogs West Side Rag and My Upper West also cover the Upper West's openings and closings.