The New York Times reported yesterday that the Upper West Side's old stogy standby, Cafe des Artistes will close. They had already been closed for summer vacation and were due to reopen Sept. 14, but have decided not to reopen due to a union lawsuit and the recession.
As of today, their website is still up if you want to take a peek and reminisce.
The restaurant opened in 1917. The nymph murals on the walls were painted in the '30s by restaurant patron and artist Howard Chandler Christy. He was also a resident of the building, the Hotel des Artistes, which was actually not a hotel but a residential building favored by artists.
The restaurant had been very popular over the years, but had been on a downward tilt over the last 20 years or so, since the city has had an amazing food renaissance with many excellent new restaurants and chefs.
Their menu was a bit tired.
Anyway, it is sad to see another New York classic go...
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