Flex Mussels Opens New Upper East Side Restaurant: See Inside, Food

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — More than two years after a devastating pandemic closure darkened the corner of East 81st Street and Third Avenue, the storefront is bustling again thanks to an eagerly-anticipated new arrival: Flex Mussels.

The popular seafood spot soft-opened its new flagship restaurant last week, with a full grand opening to follow on Sept. 6. It comes six months after a fire devastated Flex's longtime home on East 82nd Street, hastening their already-planned move to Third Avenue.

"Through the design process and getting the space ready for our guests, not a day has gone by that I've not been stopped and asked when the new Flex is coming," owner Alexandra Shapiro said in a statement. "We're ready to make this our home; it is truly our dream restaurant come to life."

The two-story, 4,000-square-foot space was home until May 2020 to Beyoglu, a beloved Turkish restaurant that closed in the early weeks of the pandemic. Shapiro announced last year that Flex would move into the space, as Patch reported at the time.

Besides the larger space, visitors can expect an expanded menu. Besides Flex's classic shellfish-centered dishes, the new restaurant focuses more on fresh local ceviches and crudos — with dishes including a tuna crudo with ginger and lemon and a seared tilefish with tomato, corn and lime.

Patrick McMurray, described by the restaurant as a "world champion shucker," has signed on to design a rotating, curated menu of oyster-centered dishes, and will also offer shucking lessons and one-on-one oyster pairing classes.

The restaurant's interior, designed by Sasha Bikoff, was inspired by Flex's "worldly menu of mussels," intended to make guests feel like they "could be sitting anywhere in the world," the restaurant says. A centerpiece is its bar, backed by arched shelves of bottles that add a "European flair."

A "new concept" will come to Flex's former location at 174 East 82nd St. early next year, according to the restaurant. Flex also has another location in the West Village.

Alexandra Shapiro noted that she grew up just four blocks away from the new location. She operates the business alongside her parents, Laura and Bobby Shapiro, who once ran a grocery store across the street.

"The opportunity to open on this lively corner with so much history means a lot to our family," Alexandra said.

Flex Mussels is open 7 days a week at 1431 Third Ave. It will serve cocktails on its outdoor patio each day starting at 4 p.m., with full service available inside from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. A private dining room that can accommodate up to 70 guests can be booked for special events.

Previous coverage:

• Here Are 8 More Restaurants Coming To The Upper East Side
  
• UES Turkish Restaurant Beyoglu Closes Amid Coronavirus Crisis