Put on your red shoes and dance the blues. Today, December 4, marks the last dance for Perfecto Pizza and Telio, two connected eateries at 2479 and 2481 Broadway, between West 92nd and 93rd streets.
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The closures will end a run of more than 30 years for the two establishments, both owned by Yianni Berbeis. Get your pizza and baklava recipe before the lights go out; both kitchens will close at 9:30 p.m. tonight.
In October, we reported that Telio was likely about to close because of a huge rent hike. “I’m used to paying $20,000 or $21,000 a month,” Berbeis told us at the time. “Now, they’re asking for $39,000.”
ILTUWS spoke with a staff member from Telio on December 3. “That’s the verdict. Tomorrow’s going to be our last day.” A staff member of Perfecto Pizza confirmed it would be closing for good at the same time.
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Following the call, I decided to take a trip over to Perfecto for a Saturday night slice, even though I’d just finished dinner. At around 9 p.m., standing in front of the “American Girl in Italy” picture, I ordered one cheese slice and took it to the back table with that classic Italian checkerboard table mat setting in blue. There, I gave a nod to the Frank Sinatra mug shot on the wall and soaked it all in. It was quiet, with most of the action happening on the other side of the connecting pathway at Telio.
When we asked a customer if she knew Perfecto and Telio were closing, the response we got was “Are you kidding? That sucks! My kids love Perfecto. You’re really not messing with me?” It was slightly heartbreaking as I felt I was suddenly disturbing the peace.
When we spoke to Berbeis in October, he mentioned he was working on keeping Telio operational somewhere on the Upper West Side. This might include Perfecto, too, depending on the situation, but so far, no such arrangement has materialized.
Are you sure? Last I heard (as of yesterday) was that after tonight they’re moving for 4 months to Good Enough to Eat on Columbus while the landlord fixes problems with the building then they’re moving back.
What does that mean, that they’re moving to Good Enough To Eat? I doubt GETE has any space to spare for them.
Turns out you were right so hats off to you. Apparently GETE will transition into Telio’s at night.
That’s lousy news. I remember when they expanded. Thanks to another %^&* landlord, there goes another business. Good luck with the bank you replace it with
How sad! How can it be legal for a landlord to increase the rent from $21,000 to $39,000? That’s outrageous.
A “cheese slice?” Where the heck are you from Bobby?
Talk about our “GO TO” place….we have been regulars forever! We leaving NYC due to rent issues too…but we’ll have to survive with Telios. See you later Yianni!
They’re looking for another space on the UWS? Like there are charitable landlords elsewhere on the UWS?
A long-standing Mexican place in Murray Hill just closed. Landlord was also looking for a massive increase. Diner in Riverdale just closed after 48 years, landlord wouldn’t renew, also at a huge increase, unless they paid $300k from the COVID shutdown. Gotta sell a whole lot of burgers to get to $300k…
However you look at it, greedy landlords with no guardrails are hurting the UWS…and the city as a whole. In Lincoln Square, the former Gracious Homes and Lowe’s have been empty for years. Best Buy now empty, too. Who’s ever coming to fill those huge spots that actually adds to the neighborhood? And if they do, the prices they’ll need to charge will be astronomical. Morton Williams opening on the West side of Broadway in a year will undoubtedly need to sell loaves of bread for $20 just to keep the lights on.
So sad to hear that Telio’s is having to close. We have been regulars for years. It was a great go-to restaurant for the whole family. The kids could eat pizza or pasta, and the adults had a wonderful menu to choose from. I hope they find a new location. Very sad!