With a prime location mere steps from Central Park, Storico — an Italian gem housed in the hallowed halls of the New-York Historical Society — gained a reputation as far more than a mundane museum cafe.
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In an Instagram post from early Friday morning, Storico announced its impending closure and bid arrivederci to the Upper West Side, writing, “After many years of serving the New-York Historical Society and its esteemed visitors, Constellation Culinary Group will be departing as the museum’s food and beverage operator. As such, Storico will be closing today after lunch service. Storico has had the privilege of welcoming countless guests, sharing in their celebrations and becoming a treasured destination for lovers of history and culinary delights. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team members who have been instrumental in making Storico a resounding success.”
Click here for more recent closings on the UWS
The New York-Historical Society’s website confirmed the shuttering, noting details about future plans for the restaurant and adjacent coffee bar will be released in the upcoming weeks.
The upscale space (at 170 Central Park West and 77th Street), renowned for its airy atmosphere, sky-high ceilings, Victorian woodwork and collection of 19th century china, was an exhibition in its own right.
It just happened to serve a dynamic menu consisting of Venetian-inspired dishes, including fan-favorite pastas like casarecce with wild mushrooms and mezzo rigatoni with lamb ragu. A robust brunch menu included everything from buttermilk pancakes, steak and eggs to a decadent burrata salad with everything puff pastry.
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While most museum restaurants close up shop to align with the primary destination’s operating hours, Storico established itself as a popular neighborhood destination for early dinner and drinks after daytime visitors departed. Living a block south for years, I couldn’t help but notice its dining room appeared emptier and less lively since the pandemic — an unfortunate reality for many Upper West Side standbys.
Founded in 1804, the New-York Historical Society (dubbed the city’s first museum) is currently in the midst of a major expansion. We’ll keep you posted on any updates.
I’m very very saddened to learn this. It was a uniquely beautiful venue. Damn.
Very sad! I was just there in July 4! Didn’t have an inkling
I’m crushed. I’ve loved Storico.
Used to love Storico but it went way down hill the past couple years. Last time I went a women next to me ordered a desert that was supposed to have caramel on it. She called the waiter over because they put gravy on the dessert instead lol disgusting
So what. She wanted to have her cake and eat it too?
Absolutely beautiful place but they lost the plot. I was there over the Christmas holidays and was not permitted to be seated unless we wanted to a full dinner. Ridiculous for a museum restaurant, especially as it was completely empty.
A restaurant in a museum can be a destination restaurant but not if it is ignoring the needs of museum visitors. It’s a pity since it was a beautiful restaurant but beautiful doesn’t mean much if people are not able to find what they need there.
One of my favorite spots for years. But like other commenters, I also experienced a drop off in quality from the first years of its opening. The staff was no longer knowledgeable, broken chairs were allowed to remain in the dining room, and the kitchen became very hit-and-miss. The chestnut risotto around Christmas was always a treat, though, when they had it! I hope what comes next for the space is as classy and delightful as Storico when it first opened.
Loved it before the pandemic but then it went downhill. Major decline in food and service. And we missed Lucky and Latae.
Lucky waited on my table when I first went to Storico and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a server!
I’m a long time member and I was there for lunch about 3 months ago. I was standing there for about 5 minutes and the wait staff saw me (I was waiting to be seated) and nobody ever came over to me, so I left. I love the Museum’s cafe and hope it stays open.
What a loss for the neighborhood.
The standard as expected had fallen..Time to move on..But great memories left behind.
Too bad.
I hope the beautiful decor STAYS.
And that NYHS partners with an eatery that has quality food without inflated menu prices and inattentive service. The portions were often measly sized. Not good for the UWS.
After the wildly popular and outstanding NYHS show :”I’ll Have What She’s Having” about Jewish Delicatessens in NYC, I had lunch at Cafe Storico after seeing the exhibit. On the menu was a special addition: a Pastrami on Rye Sandwich! Wow, a brilliant tie-in to the exhibit! The sandwich served to me was probably a quarter of an inch thick, maybe with 3 mediocre pieces of pastrami!
Obviously, neither the Chef nor Storico’s food team even bothered to see the show – and had NO CLUE how to prepare and serve a real thick and delicious Jewish deli Pastrami Sandwich!
Such a pity. Had they had even a clue about marketing, they could have partnered with Katz’s, which I am sure would have been happy to work with them since they featured prominently in the exhibit. They haven’t survived/thrived for all these years without marketing savvy!
The exhibit was fantastic – it would have been a great touch to have one of the names exhibited participate.