New UES Italian Restaurant From Star Chef Set To Open Next Week

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Chef Julian Medina is making 2024 the year of the Upper East Side restaurant.

After opening his new Mexican spot, Soledad, in January, Medina is now looking to open his first exploration into italian cooking with Amarena, set to open on Feb. 8.

Located at 151 East 82nd St., just steps from Lexington Avenue, the 3,600-square-foot space will host 60 seats across two floors, including a 12-seat bar on the first floor.

The location was formerly home to top-rated traditional French spot, The Simone, which closed in 2022.

Amarena, named after the classic Italian cherry, will look to combine rustic charm with opulent luxury, according to a press release, invoking coastal trattorias and the verdant Italian summers as well as the opulent palaces overlooking the Amalfi

To strike that balance, Medina has teamed up with another restaurateur-partner, Louis Skibar. The pair has previously worked together on two other Medina hits, Mexican eatery Toloache, located just across East 82nd Street, and El Fish Marisqueria on the Upper West Side.

The menu will feature Medina's twist on Roman fare, including Suppli — a Rome-based rice ball similar to Arancini, Vongole al Forno — baked clam with salsa verde, Soppressata Picante Pizza with peaches and Calabrian chili honey, Carbonara Antra with bucatini, duck guanciale, duck egg, and pecorino and Porchetta Agrodolce with tomato, olive, and teardrop pepper agrodolce and lettuce cups.

Starting off, Amarena will only offer dinner, but the spot will soon offer breakfast and lunch as well, including an array of Italian pastries, like Sfogliatella, Bamboloni and Maritozzo.

Just weeks ago, Medina opened Soledad on the Upper East Side, a new Mexican spot inspired by his grandmother's recipe book, with another restaurateur partner.

To learn more about Amarena, check out their Instagram account and their website.