The Second 2nd Ave Deli opens today

Now here’s a reason to celebrate. Some five years after the original 2nd Ave Deli closed and four after it reopened on 33rd, the second version of the 2nd Ave Deli is opening today on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Don’t expect too much to be different about the UES 2nd Ave. Many long time staff will be manning the place, under the eyes of Josh and Jeremy and Jack Lebewohl. The chopped liver and heart attack sandwiches will all be there, but perhaps there’ll be more well off debutantes with facelifts in the crowd.

The Forward did a great interview with Jeremy yesterday. I think it’s worth reading:

Lucy Cohen Blatter: At the Upper East Side location, can we expect the same type of colorful characters we’ve gotten to know downtown?

Jeremy Lebewohl: Definitely a few. We’re training people now, and I try to explain to staff that it’s a very unique type of service that we offer. There’s fine dining and fast food. We don’t fall into either category. It’s not a slow-paced meal, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get top service — it just has to be appropriate for the deli. Of course, kibbitzing and jokes are allowed. It can be difficult to find the right personalities to match what we need.

Are there any menu items that will be unique to the UES location?

First off, there’s nothing we offer on 33rd Street that won’t be offered here. We have a few dishes that we’re thinking about introducing. One thing that’s new at both locations is a pastrami skirt steak. Also, I’m working on getting a gizzard stew on the menu. I love gizzards.

Do you ultimately hope to open more locations?

Right now, our immediate goal is to open this location and show New York that the 2nd Avenue Deli on 75th Street can provide the same quality food, and feeling as 33rd Street. Once we can do that, who knows what the future might hold? What makes us unique is the ambiance and the food. You can tell it’s a family business. It’s not a generic chain — it’s not McDonalds.

What do you think about all the new string of delis opening around the U.S.? Seems like deli is becoming kind of cool.

I don’t know, I always thought delis were pretty cool. The trends are now are less about calorie count, and more about the quality of the food. People are not so scared to eat something that’s high in fat as long as it’s good quality. They want to eat food with just a handful of ingredients, and that’s deli. You know what you’re eating, and a scientist didn’t manufacture it. That’s something that’s becoming more appealing to people.

Read more: http://blogs.forward.com/the-jew-and-the-carrot/141351/#ixzz1VCFuHpfI

2nd Avenue Deli 1442 First Ave. (on the corner of 75th Street and 1st Ave)