Fabled celeb-magnet restaurant Nello, which closed final yr after 25 colourful years on uptown Madison Avenue, is coming again in a brand new Midtown location, The Submit has realized.
Actual property mogul and former sizzling canine franchise king Thomas Makkos signed the lease at 62 W. fifty fifth St., which is a part of SL Inexperienced’s lately modernized 1350 Sixth Ave. workplace tower. The situation was most lately house to Bice Cafe.
Though Nello Balan’s first title adorned the unique Italian restaurant till its closing days, it was truly run by Makkos after the companions break up up in 2015.
The brand new Nello may have 2,300 sq. toes on the bottom ground, 1,500 sq. toes under floor, and a big sidewalk patio.
The block between Fifth and Sixth avenues can be house to Alain Ducasse’s Benoit Bistro and media-favorite Michael’s.
“Nello is an institution and it needed a prime location that reflects its reputation,” stated Meridian Retail Leasing president James Famularo, whose agency brokered the deal.
Makkos hopes to lure again Nello’s many boldface regulars resembling J.Lo, Uma Thurman, Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan and Jennifer Aniston.
One A-lister unlikely to return anytime quickly is President Trump, who as a frequent buyer reportedly courted Melania there.
“If you ever wanted a plate of pasta that cost $275, with a side of Beyoncé and Jay Z, then you went to Nello,” Web page Six wrote when Balan died in 2023.
It wasn’t identified whether or not Romanian-born Balan’s dear dishes, resembling a $55 asparagus plate, can be a part of the brand new menu.
The previous place was usually besieged by papparazi looking forward to photographs of celebrities coming and going. It even had a aptitude for showmanship through the 2020 COVID lockdowns. Its liquor license was briefly suspended after it was accused, as many different eating places had been on the time, of serving a couple of prospects indoors towards state guidelines.
To enhance its picture, Makkos put in a dozen large crimson teddy bears carrying masks on its out of doors seats. The jumbo plush toys had been so fashionable, they remained within the seats with out masks lengthy after the menace abated.
Famularo was mum on lease on the new Nello, however sources stated it was within the $250-$300 per square-foot vary.
