As previously reported, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio visited Roosevelt Island last Tuesday to view the additional hospital beds being created at Coler Hospital. Mayor de Blasio made another Roosevelt Island stop that day at Nisi Kitchen to support our local restaurants according to this tweet by Nisi owner Alex Razaghi.
We're thrilled to receive NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio at Nisi Kitchen, who stopped by to give some words of encouragement. Thank you so much for your support! pic.twitter.com/Q5tYafk3BX
Please be aware that Nisi Kitchen is adjusting operation hours from 10am and closing at 11pm throughout the week, please stay tuned for updates! pic.twitter.com/PQlMQfRcgu
Foodtown Supermarket (212) 371-2680. Please prioritize the hours of 7am-8am on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s for our senior citizens, immunocompromised and disabled neighbors. It will be greatly appreciated.
The day that Roosevelt Island residents worried would never arrive will occur on Monday, December 4. The former Trellis Diner, a second home for many Roosevelt Islanders, will re-open that morning as the Nisi Restaurant after being closed three years for renovations.
I spoke today with Nisi father and son owners Kaie & Alex Razaghie
who are very excited to present their new Nisi restaurant to the Roosevelt Island community.
Nisi will be open 7 days a week, 7 AM - 11 PM and will serve separate breakfast, lunch and dinner menus emphasizing fresh food and quality cooking.
Take a look at the new Roosevelt Island Nisi Breakfast Menu and stay tuned in the next few days for the new Nisi Lunch and Dinner menus too.
Nisi Breakfast Menu
Omelet Your Way – Choose up to 4 ingredients 11
Meats – Bacon, Ham, Sausage, Turkey Bacon or Sausage
Veggies – Spinach, Tomato, Onion, Mushroom, Bell Pepper
French Toast – Origianl 8 Crème Brulee 12 Cap’n Crunch 11 Blueberry Walnut stuffed French Toast 14
Sides
Bacon, Ham, or Sausage 4.5
Turkey Bacon or Sausage 5
Thick Cut Bacon or Homemade Sausage patty 6
Edamame Sweet Potato Hash 6.5
Hand Cut French Fries 5
Hand Cut Sweet Potato French Fries 5.5
Grits or Home fries 4
Winter’s Fruit Salad 5.5
Corned Beef Hash 5.5
Skirt Steak 15
Cheese Fries 6.5
Onion Rings 5.5
Hot Oatmeal or Greek Yogurt – With choice of three – Apple, Strawberry*, Pear, Banana, Pomegranate*, Raisins, Granola, Almonds, Walnuts, Pine nuts*, Sesame, Pumpkin seeds, Brown sugar, Honey 5
Roosevelt Island residents, together with NYC Council Member Ben Kallos, NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, RIOC Director Howard Polivy and RIOC CFO Kimberly Quiones welcomed the return of Nisi owners Kaie & Alex Razaghie with a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting ceremony.
UPDATE 8:20 PM - I went back to Nisi late this afternoon and was very pleased.
I joined a couple of friends who loved what they had to eat. One had a Classic Cheeseburger for $7 and the other had The Western, Burger with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, bacon in BBQ sauce for $9.
I had a side dish which was excellent - Panko Fried Avocado Sticks for $6.
Restaurant was about 3/4 full. Service was very good and so was the ambience.
I highly recommend giving Nisi a try. I think Roosevelt Island residents will like it.
But, they were not ready to accept credit card transactions today.
After many requests from island residents & loyal customers we have been working around the clock to change our menu and revert to a diner format.
We launched our new menu today. It is a combination of all the classics we used to have as Trellis as well as certain dishes that have been a hit with our original menu as Nisi.
The new menu can be viewed on our Nisi Restaurant website site. We are currently working on Online Ordering and it should be ready early next week through our website
This is in no way our final menu, to date we have been open around 5 months and this is the 9th variation to the menu since we opened. It is our goal to never become complacent with our food or our service, but to gradually keep improving everyday.
With the support of our community as well as regular feedback, Nisi will keep transforming for the better.
Stop by the new Nisi Restaurant, try the new menu and and say
Hi to Kaie and Alex. Bring some friends and meet some new friends at Roosevelt Island's Nisi restaurant.
UPDATE 8:15 PM - A Roosevelt Island residents asks for a longer Happy Hour:
Just wanted to suggest that Nisi might benefit from extending their Happy Hour to 7 pm.
After all, most people who work full time are unable to take advantage of the deals which means the owners lose the entire after work crowd who might otherwise stop by for a drink. Just seems like something they should consider, I've spoken to quite a few younger working Islanders about this and we all agree!
Let's hope that like Roosevelt Island Day, Fall Arts Festival, Halloween Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting, a new annual tradition has been begun for Roosevelt Island - the Nisi Restaurant Pancake Eating Contest.
Presented by Shops on Main, Main Street Block Party is the first festival of its kind on Roosevelt Island’s Main Street. The event brings together neighbors and visitors of all ages to celebrate Shops on Main through food, art, festivities and fun....
Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related's David Kramer describes the Shop On Main Street Block Party:
Anything we can do to throw a party, help the retailers out bring people on to the streets and sidewalks....
... It's great to see people on the streets of Main Street and hopefully it'll keep up. We have a bunch of new tenants who are working to open up their spaces we have some new tenants whether it's Pup Culture or Hotpot and so our hope is that Roosevelt Islanders will continue to reinvest in their retail corridor.
Here's more from the Nisi Pancake Eating Contest
and interview with Nisi owner Alex Razaghi who says he would like to make it an annual event.
The winner of the first Roosevelt Island Pancake Eating contest was a young visitor from Brooklyn, Rufus Burns-Heath, who outlasted all the other competitors while working on his plate with numbers 10-12 pancakes served. Rufus received a Nisi $100 gift certificate for winning from Alex.
Doggie toys and treats at PupCulture / Tastings at Island Wine & Spirits / Mild to hot to sweet tastings at LiuKouShui Hot Pot Noodle / Arts and crafts for all ages at Gallery RIVAA / Make your own mini bouquet at Wholesome Factory / Free Nail decals + manicures with Roosevelt Nails / Free Empanadas + Lemonade at Bread + Butter / Tastings at Subway Sandwich / Musical entertainment / Face painting and much much more…
The Block Party was well done. Hope to see more events like this in future - particularly the Nisi Pancake eating contest.
Any updates on Trellis status? As we enter 2017, it's at least two years - maybe more - since the restaurant closed for renovations. The build-out is now complete - even the tables and chairs are in place. If there is a problem with obtaining needed City permits, red tape can't be untangled - maybe Council Member Kallos could help Kai negotiate the permit process/City bureaucracy? Just a thought..
The number 1 question I get is what's going on with Trellis and will it ever open again.
Constant rumors that the lease was sold to a new operator.
A Hudson Companies spokesperson replied:
We anticipate that Nisi will open later this winter. There is no truth to the lease sale rumor.
I've also asked Nisi owners when they will open but have not heard back. Residents have told me that they were told Nisi plans to open at the end of January but that has not been confirmed.
Well, the winter is almost over and residents are still anxiously waiting for the re-opening of the new Nisi restaurant.
Here's the latest update courtesy of resident Frank Farance who spoke with Nisi owner Kai Razaghi last Saturday. According to Mr. Farance:
Some good news about Trellis/Nisi. Heard them working downstairs, came to take a look and saw Mr. Kai and some plumbers. I asked him about a variety of stories/rumors I've heard, and got some clarity. They got their fire/etc. inspections, and then needed to turn the gas on. Well there were two problems: first was their permit was old enough that they had to get a new permit and do some plumbing work, but the second was that the inspection rules changed since the Lower East Side Building Collapse, which was caused by the bogus gas work/pluming and explosion. Since that event, all plumbing has to be inspected by the City/Con Ed, rather than in the past where the plumbers could self-inspect.
He hopes this is the last obstacle. He told me: over the summer he set up the tables and flowers with the expectation that he'd be opening very soon, but there was one unforeseen obstacle after another.
So what about them rumors that he was selling the business? He scoffed: anyone who is in business would understand that wouldn't make sense. He is looking forward to completing, hopefully, the last step and opening soon.
Mr. Kai hasn't lost his infectious smile. I told him: We all wish you well!
Yes, we wish him well and hope to see Nisi open soon.
The most frequently asked question I get from residents is:
When will the Trellis Diner reopen?
The answer is that the Trellis, which began renovations in 2014, will not reopen in its previous incarnation as a traditional Greek Diner but will return under a new name, NISI, a new menu and a new exterior and interior design.
The NISI, which means Island in Greek, front door signage was in place today as I passed by on Main Street
and spotted owner Alex Razahgi doing some clean up work on the door.
Alex told me that the renovations were complete and NISI is ready to open pending inspections by the Fire Department and Con Ed. Alex did not know how long the inspection approvals would take and said that the inspection timing is out of his control.
According to Alex, NISI will have a new upscale menu with affordable prices but fewer items than Trellis offered and a bar with an excellent wine list. I am told a good wine list is definitely needed for Roosevelt Island.
Stay tuned for more NISI news and hopefully an opening date soon.
I live on RI almost 30 years. It's the place we would go after Little League games and Theater shows. They were like family. When my daughters were small they would hold my baby so I could eat, in the summer parents ate and drank outside while the kids played in the Churchyard.
They were our neighbors. It really doesn't matter if you like the design. The design didn't make Trellis it's the community that we felt while eating there that makes Trellis. That is why it's a shame if Trellis doesn't reopen. Hudson needs to give them a break. It's what community is about.
UPDATE 5/5 - Hudson Related Retail's Alexandra Kaplan told me that despite serving Demand For Rent:
owner Kaie Razaghie yesterday that the restaurant's long delayed re-opening will occur next week. Mr Kramer relayed his conversation about the Nisi restaurant opening to those attending last evening's Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory committee meeting. Others at the meeting were told Nisi would open after Thanksgiving.
A good indication that Nisi will open soon is that they are hiring staff. According to this sign displayed on the front door window:
Dear Neighbors,
In an effort to bring you a spectacular dining experience, we are putting together a team of passionate, energetic and experienced members from our community. If you or someone you know is excited to join us, please send resume and pictures to NisiResume@gmail.com
Thank you and see you soon
Kaie and Alex
Roosevelt Island is anxiously awaiting the return of Kaie, Alex and the opening of Nisi.
Nisi Kitchen is
currently open for delivery and take out orders only since indoor dining has
been ended due to the Coroanavirus Pandemic. Here's the
menu.
Image Of Roosevelt Island's Vacant 503 Main Street
RIRA's MSTRAC Chair Anne Kanninen provides the following summary of the meeting. According to Ms. Kanninen
Summary:
Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) is negotiating a lease regarding the space at 501 Main St. with a light food/coffee shop operator. C&W feels very positive and under the best scenario if the deal is successful the operations would start in the beginning of next year.
Nisi (new name of Trellis Diner) is expected to open in June. There was a discussion about possible price increases and Mr. Azarian told us that Nisi is supposed to stay as a diner meaning huge price increases are not expected. He also informed us that the company (Nisi) appears to have deep pockets and can easily carry the one and a half year losses from the renovation/construction.
Mr. Azarian also told us that there are several companies interested in coming to the island but many of them are not financially sound or do not have successful track records, thus cannot be considered as tenants....
... 544 and 548 Main St. spaces are marketed as good sites for food business. Now when Trellis became clearly Mediterranean Nisi (Island in Greek) maybe some other than Mediterranean food restaurants would be attractive thus expanding the variety of food offerings on Roosevelt Island.
The CDM Kids pre-school continues to operate on a reduced schedule because the required window screens are still missing.
It was explained by both Ms. Kaplan and Mr. Azarian that the delays which for example the Urgent Care has experienced are very typical right now in the city due to high number of buildings constructed affecting Con Edison’s and the Department of Building inspections and certifications.
It was mentioned by Anne Kanninen who visited the Urgent Care site today that there appeared to be a dentist’s chair in the premises. It seemed that Ms. Kaplan did not know anything about a plan that included a dentist in the urgent care operations since the island already has a dentist.
The Urgent Care space consists of several treatment rooms which were already partially furnished with treatment tables. The clinic is a major investment for the owner(s).
According to Ms. Kaplan and Mr. Azarian the clinic will open any day now.
Ms. Kaplan told us that the directional signs are under discussions with RIOC.
There was a request once again to place the benches to the walls of the buildings on the Main St. so that people could face Main St. Ms. Kaplan promised to look at the issue and maybe something could be done.
There was a complaint about the lights which are out in the arcade. Ms. Kaplan promised to take care of the issue.
The wall next to the subway entrance has become a messy bulletin board which could perhaps be better organized and cleaned. There was some opinion differences regarding this issue.
The rotting cement walls under the windows on the the Roosevelt Landing side will be taken care according to Ms. Kaplan.
There was a question of a temporary art gallery filling the empty spaces on the Main St. Both Ms. Kaplan and Mr. Azarian thought it as a good idea but did not elaborate further except that they are discussing with the person who wants to do it.
Wholesome Food is doing very well which we all can easily verify just visiting the always packed store. According to Ms. Kaplan the Subway store, Deli, Liquor store and Ice cream parlor are performing well as well. However, Ms. Kaplan’s analysis is based only on paid rents which tells only the partial story of a company’s performance. H-R does not have access to the lessors’ financials.
H-R and RIOC have started discussions about the two new buildings which will be built on the east side of Southtown. Both of the buildings are going to be rentals and building no. 8 is planned to have large number of affordable apartments. These discussions typically take a year or two. The next building’s start up will be in two to four years according to Ms. Kaplan.
Cynthia Ahn had been talking with Ms. Kaplan earlier about some kind of leaflet to be distributed to the Southtown residents to promote the businesses in the Northtown. This issue was not really discussed in the meeting despite the fact that Cynthia tried to take it up with Ms. Kaplan.
It was decided that the quarterly meetings with MSTRAC, Hudson-Related and Cushman - Wakefield will continue but timing will be switched to 9 am.
Following up on the Roosevelt Island retail meeting discussion, Cushman & Wakefield's Michael Azarian reports about the renaming of Trellis to Nisi:
Hudson Related spoke to Trellis. It has yet to be confirmed that they are changing their name to Nisi, but it is presently being discussed. Also, Trellis' lease states that they must remain a "first class diner." Trellis is finalizing their new menu now, but they are maintain the position that they will be an "upscale diner" with quality options.
And:
Hudson Related spoke with the Urgent Care tenant. That chair you saw is not a dentist chair. It is for sutures and people with broken arms!
In 2019 and 2020, the Postdoctoral Association of Weill Cornell Medicine hosted a series of fun and very interesting Pub Talks at Roosevelt Island's Nisi Restaurant
featuring a variety of researchers discussing the work being done in
their labs. The Pub Talks were suspended during the Covid Pandemic but re-started last February and will take place again tomorrow at Nisi (549 Main Street).
According to the Postdocs:
The Roosevelt Island community is invited to meet our
local neighborhood scientists and learn about some cutting edge medical
research at tomorrow's Weill Cornell Post Docs Pub Talk at Nisi Restaurant.
Wonder what to do on a casual Wednesday night? We have the answer. Enjoy lay talks from Weill Cornell Postdoctoral researchers in your neighborhood.
Juan A. Azcona Phd - Challenging Our Fat Prejudice To Fight Heart Disease.
Wednesday May 17, 6:30 PM At Nisi Restaurant 549 Main Street
What a great idea from the folks at
Roosevelt Island's Nisi Kitchen
- a Snowman building contest and the 3 best snowman builders win a Nisi Gift
Certificate.
Good job by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) and building owners,
for the most part, clearing the streets and sidewalks of snow although there
were some areas by the Rivercross Lawn, Good Shepherd Plaza and Tennis Bubble that needed more
work.
UPDATE 12/18 - We could have some winners here of the Nisi Kitchen Snowman building contest.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
