UPPER WEST SIDE — These meatballs come à la mode.
The Meatball Shop's opened its newest outpost on Amsterdam Avenue Monday.
The restaurant between West 81st and 82nd streets, which marks the mini-chain's sixth in the city, is hoping to lure visitors from Central Park by selling homemade ice cream sandwiches from the to-go cart, the owners said.
The cart will sell new combinations like sweet corn cookies with sour cherry ice cream and butter cookies with lemon frozen yogurt this summer, with the menu changing each season. A "golden ticket" hidden inside every 100th ice cream sandwich will entitle the winner to prizes like free cooking classes or restaurant merchandise. The cart will be open from 2 to 5 p.m., and then again from 10 p.m. till close, seven days a week.
In addition to traditional selections ranging from spicy pork meatballs with mushroom gravy to gluten-free chicken meatballs with parmesan cream, diners can also enjoy Jell-O shots, a Sazerac or a Cajun iced coffee, among other cocktails.
Inside the new space, antique photos and paintings are accompanied by subway tiles, exposed light bulbs and schoolhouse-style chairs made from reclaimed wood.
The restaurant seats 69 people, with room for eight at the bar, and also offers takeout.
The meatballs are made at the shop's Bushwick kitchen and delivered each day, though there's an open kitchen on site to make the homestyle sides.
On July 21, the restaurant will start serving lunch daily at 11:30 a.m.