BIG YELLOW TAXI. Back in the 1980s, the northwest corner of 47th and 8th was the site of B. Smith's, a pioneering restaurant that underwent remodeling so that it could play host to more events. Then B. Smith's migrated to Restaurant Row with a New Orleans funeral procession. Replacing B. Smith's was a spacious yet cozy restaurant called Jack Rose. Jack Rose then gave way to Bennigan's, which went belly up.

So much for the restaurants. Now the corner is home to yet another Duane Reade--conveniently located three blocks south of a Rite Aid and five blocks north of another Duane Reade!














































In other news, I've heard that the Upper East Side marzipan oasis Elk Candy has been replaced...by KidFresh, which (in an ironic twist) claims to sell healthy food for kids! (Healthier than Elk Candy marzipan???)

As for Fontana di Trevi--the low key restaurant across from the Russian Tea Room where all sort of luminaries (including Billy Joel and classical music folk) once dined in relative privacy? Closed.

ADDENDUM Oh yeah: Honmura An? Gone.

And now, over the closing credits....



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Photos: David Marc Fischer