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After 15 years, local sushi favorite Amber has closed its location at 103 West 70th Street, between Columbus and Broadway. ILTUWS visited the Pan-Asian and Japanese-style fusion spot—known for its sushi roll lunch specials—and learned that it will be consolidating with Flame, the lively hibachi spot offering sushi, dim sum, and teppanyaki at 100 West 82nd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
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In 2015, Amber moved from its sleek, wraparound corner location at 70th and Columbus—known for its orange glow, colorful hanging lamps, and Buddha statues—to a smaller space across the street. While the move was a downsize, regulars rejoiced. Amber has always had a gift for aesthetic presentation, both in its décor and its food. Despite the tighter footprint, Amber 2.0 (as we’ll call it) remained just as inviting, with a vibe all its own: dimly lit, tucked on a side street with whitewashed brick, and a low wood-beamed ceiling that sealed the deal—especially with that great round table right when you walk in. Amber can read the room.
ILTUWS spoke with a staffer at Flame on Monday, July 14—the same day Amber shuttered. We were told that parts of Amber’s menu might be incorporated into Flame’s offerings, but that’s still being worked out as the teams are just beginning to get situated, but under the same company umbrella, there are already synergies in the menu. The good news is Flame also has quality sushi lunch specials, nearly identical to Amber’s—two rolls for $15 (with green salad and miso soup) or three rolls for $19.
When you call Amber’s phone number, it will directly connect you to Flame’s reception. They’ve already begun working on integrating their systems.
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Flame opened on the Upper West Side in 2016 and also has two other locations—one downtown on Third Avenue and another in Riverdale. They offer a hibachi lunch special Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays. All hibachi lunch entrées are served with one appetizer, hibachi vegetables, and jasmine rice. Options include free-range chicken for $15, sirloin steak for $17, filet mignon for $18, or shrimp or scallops for $19.
They also make cocktails, including the Jasmine Gin & Tonic: subtly infused jasmine pearl tea with London dry gin and tonic water, served over ice for $13.
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