August 30, 2026

The FORGOTTEN Restaurant in No. 5

Imagine our surprise when we were looking over some material from earlier posts, when we came upon this:

This photograph is apparently the only physical evidence that there once was a restaurant in No. 5, on the 1st Avenue side of the building.  



A close-up shows the words Wine & Cheese Restaurant on the northern wall, accompanied by painted flats over doorways. Here one finds a contented patron opposite tables and chairs. What's happening above the central window is pretty much anyone's guess.


The next pair features the silhouette of a lady opposite a vacant chair, beside what looks like a cash register opposite a vacant chair.   




This pair proved the further one got away from the entrance, the harder the image was to read. To the left, it appears to be the name of the place, Something Something Restaurant. On  the right, a lady drinks a cup of coffee, we think. . .



This last trio is indecipherable to us, alas.

We posted the photograph nine years ago as part of story of Helmsley-Spear's takeover of Tudor City. In the spring of 1970, they had three non-residences to rent out, one of which was near the restaurant space in No. 5.
    
Here it is pictured on the flyer from 1970. Anyone out there with any pictures or memories of this mythic spot, please let us know. We give bonus points for menus.

As for the earlier entire post, here it is.

1 comment:

  1. The current arcade is pretty awful, maybe with the widening if 1st Avenue it's necessary. Would the area support a new restaurant in that location?

    ReplyDelete