24th between 6th and B'way -- lots going on

[Blumie]

Lots going on on this block:

After a two-year wait, Nuela, a high end pan-Latin, finally opened last month, but I haven't seen any reports here yet. Has anyone been?

Eataly is finally set to open, next week I think, I think with entrances on 5th Ave and 23rd and 24th Streets. I'm a little worried that it will be too high end for 2010, but excited nonetheless. I think the pizza operation is on my side -- the 24th St side.

Planet Thailand recently reopened after a remodel, although I haven't stuck my head in to see what they did. I was surprised to see them remodeling; they haven't been in that location very long. And while their food is decent, if a little pricy, the service seems weird and the place always seems empty.

Speaking of empty, Ottimo finally closed its doors last month. I have been walking by this place for years wondering how they stayed in business. The prices were absurd for what it was, and I never saw more than one or two tables occupied at a time. I just assumed that a wealthy chef owned the building and that he opened each day as a hobby, not because he had any hope of making any money.

And speaking of staying in business, I wonder how long San Rocco, which opened last year in a newish low-end hotel (I think it's a Wyndham Garden Inn, but I'm not sure, notwithstanding walking by it each day), will last. It's another place that strikes me as too high end and too expensive for this block, particularly in 2010. Anyone been to this place?

And while not on this same block, I am excited that, as has been reported for some time, Grimaldi's is opening up (anyone have any info on when?) at the Limelight Marketplace on 6th Ave and 20th St. This likely will bring some much needed foot traffic to this way-too-fancy-for-2010 marketplace. Yeah we can all debate whether Grimaldi's lives up to its hype, but it sure is a nice option to have nearby.

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San Rocco
39 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

Nuela
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

[uwsister]

I am looking forward to the opening of Eataly too.

Limelight Marketplace was pretty much empty when we went there for the first and last (for now) time last month. Perhaps Grimaldi's will bring in some people like you said. I think it's such a shame that they turned it into a freaking shopping mall. My husband was about to cry when he saw what they did!

[nativeNYer]

Finally went to Limelight last week for the first (and last) time as well. So odd and disappointing. If the Marketplace doesn't last, I wonder about Grimaldi's fate.

[uwsister]

It's a strange vibe there, isn't it? "Odd and disappointing" is exactly how I felt about it too.

[kathryn]

Eater has Eataly opening on 8/31 at 4pm. The photos look great and I don't think it's too high end for 2010 -- it kind of reminds me of a giant Italian Whole Foods. Of course, they haven't said a thing about pricing.

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Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

[Blumie]

I hope you're right. It should be great. I don't expect the prices to be low; I just hope they're not insane. Whole Foods-type pricing would be just fine.