In late February, a whopping six new businesses–a mix of restaurants, a smoothie joint and a bakery–looked to be putting down stakes in Hamilton Heights (one, Buddha Taco Bar, is already in soft open mode). Now five more are joining them or expanding–and all have an Asian bent. Although none have firm opening dates yet, activity has been ramping up at all of the spaces.
The buzz is already swirling over the newest location of Jin Ramen at 3599 Broadway (at 148th Street), which will open towards the end of the summer, according to a manager at 125th Street. Jin has three other locations, but this newest will most resemble the one on the Upper West Side, which has a larger menu that blends the offerings at Jin Ramen West Harlem and next-door sibling Kissaten Jin.
Photo: Makana
Another chainlet setting its sights on Hamilton Heights is the quickly-expanding Makana, a Hawaiian poke and Asian barbecue concept with branches on the Upper West Side, Washington Heights and East Harlem. An employee at its 106th Street spot said to expect the fourth location at 1502 Amsterdam Avenue (near 134th Street) to open in the next few months, aka Summer 2018.
As mentioned here a few weeks ago, the MamaSushi at 3569 Broadway is expanding into the storefront to its right, so expect to enjoy your creative Dominican sushi in a larger space soon.
Less is known about the remaining two newcomers. A sign with the name Geisha Asian Cuisine is now hanging in front of 1784 Amsterdam Avenue (near 148th Street), but no one at the similarly-named Geisha Sushi on Broadway was able to confirm anything. (Updated 2/26/19: the sign has been taken down)
A new awning with the name Sita Thai is up at 3609 Broadway near 149th Street (the Indian pizza joint Pizza Ghor was the previous tenant). Presumably the spot will offer Thai food, but no one answered the phone on the sign to provide more information. One can only hope, because who doesn't love a good pad thai?
