New Colombian Restaurant To Open In Old Swifty's

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A new Colombian restaurant is getting ready to set up shop inside the former home of neighborhood haunt Swifty's.

Presented at the monthly Community Board 8's liquor license hearings, the eatery, currently named Maria Mulata Colombian Restaurant according to Community Board documents, is looking to move in at 1007 Lexington Ave., near East 73rd Street.

Currently the owners are working on what sounded like a long process to renovate the kitchen, including a new hood and restoring the bar from Swifty's that was removed after the social scene sport shuttered in 2016, said a representative for the new restaurant.

Since the building is landmarked, special approvals must be sought — even for interior renovation — from the city, said the owner's rep, prior to submitting for building permits to start the work.

The representative said that the owner has over 13 years of experience running a Colombian restaurant in Valley Stream, Long Island, and that the 5400-square-foot restaurant will have seating for 50 people.

According to Google Maps, the only other Colombian restaurant in the neighborhood is Yorkville's Dulce Vida Latin Bistro on East 83rd Street and Second Avenue.

There was no given timeline of when the new spot would open.