Nello's Grand Return to Midtown Manhattan, The Return of the

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Midtown Manhattan is set to witness the return of a high-profile dining spot that's no stranger to celebrity patrons. Nello, the Italian restaurant renowned for its lavish dishes and equally opulent price tags—like $275 pasta—closed its doors a year ago but is prepping to make a comeback, as reported by the New York Post. The eatery is poised to take residence at a new spot, 62 W. 55th Street, banking on the past popularity that brought in A-listers such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Harrison Ford.

While the previous incarnation of Nello hit rough times, with reports of unpaid rent and lawsuits, Thomas Makkos, the restaurateur behind the revival, is seemingly ready to quickly rekindle its former glory. The new spot will occupy nearly 4,000 square feet across two floors, according to Eater New York. Despite prior critiques of the food being somewhat secondary to the dining experience, the restaurant's history and cachet may be enough to once again attract its star-studded clientele. Previous diners included the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Uma Thurman.

Adjacent to well-known eateries like Alain Ducasse’s Benoit Bistro and the media favorite Michael’s, Nello's new spot is strategically chosen for its prime Midtown location. “Nello is an institution and it needed a prime location that reflects its reputation,” James Famularo, president of Meridian Retail Leasing, reiterated in a deal that was brokered on his watch. While Makkos remains silent on the specifics of the new menu, former regulars and curious gourmands alike will be eager to see whether extravagant staples, such as the noted $55 asparagus plate, will make a return, as detailed by the New York Post.

Attention to image has equally been a hallmark of the Nello brand, evinced by previous stunts such as placing giant red teddy bears in outdoor seating during COVID-19 lockdowns, which turned out to be a crowd-pleaser.