Ed Brown's Poorly Timed Eighty One to Shutter on the UWS

Krieger, 2/23/08

Steve Cuozzo reports that Eighty One, chef Ed Brown's fancy pants Upper West Side eatery that opened right into the throes of the recession, is closing after two years in business. The restaurant, which El Cuozz says "served possibly the best food in the Upper West Side’s history," launched as an upscale restaurant but tried to adjust to the economy later down the road. However Brown notes, "....we weren’t able to change people’s perceptions that we were a special-occasion place — which is why we were always full for special occasions, but not on a daily basis." It will close after service on Easter, April 4.
· Upper West Side's Eighty-One closing [NYP]
· All Eighty One Coverage [~ENY~]