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Water & Wheat (W&W), an Italian American casual dining spot that opened on the Upper East Side in 2023, is expanding across Central Park into the space currently occupied by Cibo e Vino at 2418 Broadway and West 89th Street. Cibo e Vino, which specializes in Northern Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, first opened in the 1,200-square-foot space in 2013.
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W&W also makes artisan flatbreads, such as their Margherita, which features San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, Parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil ($20). On the higher end, their Truffle Theory flatbread includes fresh mozzarella, mushroom crema, black truffle ricotta, garlic, and thyme ($26). The Spicy Rocket comes with Stracchino cheese, prosciutto cotto, arugula, and spicy honey ($23).
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During the day, W&W serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can select a wood-fired sandwich, which comes with a garden salad or soup of the day. All sandwiches are $15.95, including the meatball, chicken, and eggplant Parmigiano. Their Classic Italian sandwich includes prosciutto cotto, soppressata, provolone, pickled red onions, bell peppers, medley tomatoes, Tuscan kale, and a sherry shallot vinaigrette. They also offer happy hour throughout lunch, with all beers priced at $6. Pinot Grigio Regalato Abruzzo (2022) is $10 a glass, as is the red wine, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Regalato (organic, 2021). It’s possible Water & Wheat will have varying options between both locations as things are still being finalized.
Wood-fired options are available throughout the dinner menu, including appetizers, entrées, and sides. Appetizers include sautéed calamari with cannellini beans, tomatoes, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, as well as garlicky shrimp with Italian parsley, white wine sauce, garlic, and garlic crostino, both priced at $20. All sides are $11, including asparagus, broccolini, fingerling potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Entrées include a ten-layer lasagna with beef ragù, tomato sauce, béchamel, and Parmesan ($27), or the wild mushroom risotto with mushroom crema, mixed wild mushrooms, Parmesan, and microgreens ($27). The Sicilian fish stew includes a rotating catch of the day, celery root, carrot, onion, and potatoes.
Desserts feature classic Italian staples like gelato in various flavors ($5), tiramisu ($12), cannoli ($10), and pistachio chocolate salami with dark chocolate, petit beurre, pistachios, and vanilla ice cream ($14).
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When we called Cibo e Vino, a staff member named Jennifer answered the phone and confirmed they were closing but did not specify their last day of business. She was unaware of any transition plan and could only say for certain that the future of Cibo e Vino at 2418 Broadway will soon be curtains.
We’ve also reached out to their ownership team and will update this story as we learn more.
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Wont be missed. Place has been an eyesore for years.
Not exactly an eyesore but definitely a very mediocre restaurant – and for years, indeed! It was mediocre from day one. It is a marvel that it has remained opened in this world where restaurants open and close in the wink of an eye.
Water & Wheat has to be the most private equity focus-grouped name for a restaurant I’ve ever seen. Good luck with that. Very few people want pasta in a cup to go.
As someone who is often looking for lunch to go, I’d probably give it a shot. And at least it’s a variation on the overabundance of Italian restaurants in the area. Guess we’ll see !
It’s a miracle Cibo e Vino survived under that permanent scaffolding shed
Hey, you know what NYC needs? Another Italian restaurant!
must be very profitable. at $25 and up for pasta (maybe out of box) and sauce (maybe out of bottle)
Sorry to see Cibo Vino go.
We enjoyed their food, had a wonderful grilled octopus. They also did a wonderful job dressing up the eyesore scaffolding, had a nice happy hour with true specials, and at one point, had a cozy bar. They made it through Covid for several additional years, survived the hyped opening of Dagon, and lasted on a stretch of blocks that turns over a lot, if not a Carmines or Tal Bagel.
Always nice service. If they were on a charming corner on Amsterdam or Columbus, they may have made it even longer.
You did very well Cibo! We will miss you.
Thank you! ??
Sorry to hear about Cibo closing. Here in the 90’s there are not many options for a nice, more upscale, quieter spot for dinner. The service was always warm and accommodating; the food consistent (if not overwhelming, but solid). Hope the new spot will be more than just for takeout.
Agree completely!
Nice to see additional positive comments towards a business that lasted a long time, in a hood that just complains constantly, even about neighborhood mainstays that make it a long time, like Cibo, in very difficult circumstances!