Pair Of Popular UWS Outdoor Dining Cafes Reopen For The Season

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Two of the Upper West Side's most popular outdoor dining spots reopened recently in Riverside Park.

Ellington in the Park and the Pier I Cafe both opened for the season in April.

The two establishments offer a wide variety of food and drinks, while looking out at the Hudson River.

Ellington in the Park is located inside of Riverside Park at West 105th Street, and is run by Glenda Sansone, who also runs longtime neighborhood restaurant Ellington on Broadway.

It has two levels, with the top level-bar made out of a repurposed shipping container, and the lower-level lounge adjacent to volley ball courts and a sandpit.

The restaurant, which opened on Wednesday, serves up buffalo wings, chicken tenders, fries, hot dogs, burgers, street corn, quesadillas, caesar salad, pizza, and a wide variety of a cocktails and beers.

Ellington in the Park is open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m

For those Upper West Siders who don't live quite as far uptown, the Pier I Cafe has also reopened for the season in Riverside Park at West 70th Street.

The waterside cafe serves up lobster rolls, salmon, fish and chips, burgers, salads, frozen drinks, craft beers, cocktails, and more.

The cafe also operates an Espresso Bar during the first part of the day for any coffee lovers traveling through the park.

The Espresso Bar opens at 8 a.m., before the kitchen welcomes its first customers at 11:30 a.m. The cafe then stays open until sunset.