NYC Restaurants: 'Sopranos' Star's Speakeasy + Food Truck Follies

NEW YORK CITY — The actor who portrayed Christopher Moltisanti on the "Sopranos" is opening a speakeasy, presumably to serve up Moltisantinis.

Alright, full disclosure: Patch doesn't know for sure if thespian Michael Imperioli's new Upper West Side bar will offer a punny vermouth cocktail with that name. (But seems like a missed opportunity if it doesn't.)

What Patch does know — and our dear readers do now — is that Imperioli's speakeasy is one of many food news headlines from this past week.

Check out New York City's the latest foodie happenings, and come back next week for more.

Yes, Michael Imperioli opened a speakeasy.

The actor's upscale, art deco-inspired Scarlet bar welcomed patrons this week.

"I cordially invite you to experience the latest creation by Victoria Imperioli," the "Sopranos" and "White Lotus" star wrote in a Tuesday Instagram post, nodding to his wife, who is a set designer.

But not all food news was as celebratory across Central Park.

An Upper West Side landlord sued the city for $1 million on accusations that officials failed to clamp down on food trucks that gobbled up tenants' business.

Food trucks along Broadway between West 85th and West 86th streets blocked storefronts, caused a local pizzeria to close and scared off potential customers and vendors, the lawsuit contends.

In happier news, five restaurants across New York City — including Malaysian chicken joint Hainan Chicken House in Sunset Park — were named 2023's Eater Award winners.

• 'Sopranos' Star To Open Upper West Side Speakeasy
• Food Trucks Killed UWS Pizzeria, Cost Landlord $930K In Rent: Lawsuit
• BK Malaysian Chicken Joint Among NYC's Best: Ranking

New York City's endless feast of new restaurants didn't stop this past week.

Four new spots, from a steakhouse to a Southern food restaurant, soon will open on the Upper East Side.

And a father-daughter team plans to bring two "cozy" cafés on both the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.

A former "Top Chef" judge is opening Park Ave Kitchen in Midtown.

Harlem's first full-service hotel in 100 years opened recently, with a new restaurant: The Victoria.

The popular California-style burrito spot Electric Burrito expanded into Chelsea.

Over in Brooklyn, sandwich shop fave Regina's Grocery soon will open in Bed-Stuy.

• New UES Restaurants: Steakhouse, Southern Food, And More
• UES Corner To Be Restored With Planned 'Cozy, Inviting' Cafe
• 'Cozy, Inviting' Cafe Coming To Site Of Former UWS ALDO
  
• David Burk Opens New Midtown Eatery
• Renaissance Hotel, Restaurant Now Open At Former Victoria Theater Site
• SoCal-Inspired Burrito Spot Opens Chelsea Location
• Regina's Grocery To Open In Bed-Stuy

Closures and other bad news struck New York City's restaurant scene too.

Ice cream chain Blue Marble's founders announced they'd close their last brick-and-mortar location.

Sweet-toothed New Yorkers will still be able to buy Blue Marble ice cream at local stores and restaurants.

"While we have made the decision to transition out of our brick-and-mortars, we remain strong," co-founders Jennie Dundas and Alexis Miesen said in a statement.

The estate of a late owner of diners in Brooklyn and Queens coughed up $1.18 million in owed taxes.

Dimitrios Kaloidis, who owned of Bridgeview Diner in Bay Ridge and Georgia Diner in Queens, failed to report more than $650,000 in cash receipts and pocketed it, state Attorney General Letitia James said.

Greek Eats, a Lenox Hill eatery, suddenly closed down for good last week.

And, finally, a top Brooklyn diner was among the restaurants ordered closed by health inspectors this past week.

• Blue Marble Ice Cream To Close Its Last Remaining Shop In Brooklyn
• Late BK Diner Owner Pocketed Taxes, Whistleblower Reveals To AG
• Lenox Hill Greek Spot Suddenly Shutters
• NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed Dec. 1 - 8