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Steak, Chocolate and Upscale Barbers Open on East Side

By Mary Johnson | April 27, 2012 10:28am

OPENINGS:

Vic & Anthony’s, a swanky steak chain with locations in Houston and Las Vegas, opened its first Manhattan location on Park Avenue South near East 19th Street in Union Square. Zagat reported that the new space, the former home of another steak joint, Angelo & Maxie’s, is decked out in black-and-white photos, chandeliers and wine bottles from across the globe. The menu is simple and classic, with appetizers like oysters Rockefeller and cuts of meat that start at around $39. 233 Park Ave. S.

Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus has filled 1,500 square feet of space with its delectable bonbons and pralines, ganaches and creams, Gothamist reported. The new spot on Madison Avenue, near East 52nd Street, features an on-site museum that chronicles the history of the company, which dates back to 1857. Anon-staff master chocolatier is available, too, to conduct chocolate-making workshops, parties and tastings. Those perks are, of course, secondary to the sea of sweets, which cost a pretty penny. A 20-piece collection of milk and dark and white chocolates comes in about $33. 500 Madison Ave.

Men of Madison Avenue, prepare to be pampered. Truman’s Gentleman Groomer’s opened a second location on Madison between East 30th and 31st streets a few months back, offering men a menu of services that includes “handshake maintenance” and “foot repair” — also known as manicures and pedicures. Prices for a haircut start at approximately $68, but patrons can take advantage of an open bar and televisions tuned to ESPN. 121 Madison Ave.

Rustic Italian eatery Granduca di Sicillia opened on West 24th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues recently, and its web site boasts that it will “bring Sicily to the streets of New York City.” The blog Mad Park News reported that the location is the latest for a restaurant group that already owns eateries in Sicily and St. Maarten and on East 35th Street in Manhattan. The menu for the newest Granduca features brick-oven pizzas, seared breaded veal and angel hair pasta with sea urchins. 30 W. 24th St.

On a more practical note, Ace Hardware has opened a store near Stuyvesant Town, on First Avenue between East 18th and 19th streets, the blog pcvstBee reported. The 8,100-square-foot store, once home to a Blockbuster Video, welcomed its first customers last month. 312 First Ave.

CityMD, a walk-in urgent care center, opened on West 23rd Street near Fifth Avenue, the blog Mad Park News reported. Patients who visit the facility — which will supplement its other practices on the Upper East Side, Columbus Circle and the Upper West Side — can receive care and treatment for anything from a broken bone to a burn to a fever without appointments, 365 days a year. 37 W. 23rd St.

French clothing boutique Maison Kitsuné has opened its first-ever U.S. store inside the newly opened Nomad Hotel on Broadway near West 28th Street, according to the Flatiron BID. The brand, which has been carried in Barney’s and Bergdorf Goodman, defines its style as “new classic.” The store is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 1170 Broadway

Mihoko Kiyokawa, a former ballerina, collector and philanthropist, has opened Mihoko’s 21 Grams, a new Franco-Japanese restaurant on West 22nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Grub Street NY reported. The name refers to the supposed weight of the human soul, and the menu includes sushi, seasonal ingredients, wine and sake. A shop located on site sells rare teapots and dishes. 16 W. 22nd St.

Chop’t Creative Salad Company, a quick and casual salad chain, has opened on East 23rd Street near Madison Avenue, directly across from Madison Square Park. Customers can make their own salad concoction or choose from a menu that includes intriguing options like the Kebab Cobb, the Vegetarian Powerhouse and the Chop’t Po’Boy. Since it’s a chain, the restaurant has included calorie counts for all its offerings. 18 E. 23rd St.

COMING SOON:

Tommy Bahama, the island-cool clothing brand, is preparing to open its first New York City location on Fifth Avenue near East 45th Street. The store will occupy 8,500 square feet of space inside the art deco Fred F. French building. Construction is currently underway to complete the space by this fall. Until then, the company has adorned the exterior of the building with a banner bearing the brand’s credo: “Make life one long weekend.” 551 Fifth Ave.

CLOSINGS:

Those living, working and eating around Madison Square Park have lost one of its seemingly ubiquitous burger joints. Fresh & Fast Burgers closed recently, alerting patrons with a note affixed to the door, the blog Mad Park News reported. The letter thanked customers of the chain’s East 23rd Street location for their support and patronage. 11 E. 23rd St.

Just a few weeks after Bar Breton closed and its chef, Cyril Renaud, opened another French eatery, La Quenelle, in its place, the restaurant has announced via Facebook that it will be closing up shop on Fifth Avenue near East 28th Street. According to Eater NY, a representative for Renaud said the revamped restaurant had done well since its opening in March, but the chef is looking for a more intimate setting. No word yet on where fans can find La Quenelle next. 254 Fifth Ave.