New Diner Opens On UES, Replacing Shuttered Under The Bridge

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — On a corner of an Upper East Side street where the renowned Greek restaurant, Under The Bridge, once stood, a fresh coat of paint now heralds the arrival of a new diner.

Last week marked the debut of Tramway Restaurant on the Upper East Side, further solidifying Greek restaurateur George Kalogerakos's expansion into Lenox Hill.

Taking over the location of his former establishment, Under The Bridge, which shuttered its doors earlier this year after nearly eight years of serving the neighborhood, Tramway Restaurant now pledges to deliver all the timeless comfort of a traditional American diner.

At the corner of 1079 First Ave. and East 59th Street, Tramway Restaurant offers diner classics as well as a variety of pastries, perfect for grab-and-go.

Before his latest venture, Kalogerakos accumulated extensive experience managing local establishments.

In 1999, he founded the always bustling 24-hour Ritz Diner alongside his then-partner Dimitri Sarantopoulos. He and Sarantopoulos also helmed the beloved 24-hour Lyric Diner in Gramercy for 31 years, situated on Third Avenue and East 22nd Street, which closed in 2016.

Primarily, Sarantopoulos managed the diner, while Kalogerakos oversaw operations at Under the Bridge—until 2019.

"Then we decided to split up, and I went from Under the Bridge to the diner and he came from the diner to Under the Bridge," Kalogerakos told Patch in January.

Following Sarantopoulos's passing in late 2023, his family made the decision to permanently close Under The Bridge after the lease expired at the beginning of 2024.

In addition to those ventures, Kalogerakos also owns The Hungry Hero, a popular sandwich shop located adjacent to George Southern Greek, his reimagined version of Under The Bridge, which began operating in late January.

With reporting from Peter Senzamici/Patch staff.