One of our readers, who lives in the building where The Cottage is located (360 Amsterdam Ave at 77th Street), has informed us that the long-time Chinese restaurant has permanently closed.
Our reader told us that the reason for the closure was that the new landlord – The Olnick Organization – had refused to renew their lease. We called the Olnick Organization but the person we spoke with didn’t have any information they could share with us.
The Cottage Reopens at 2199 Broadway
Our reader also tells us that Olnick is not renewing any of the apartment leases (outside of those which are rent stabilized), and may be looking to combine units to create larger apartments.
The Olnick Organization purchased the building, which has an alternate address of 201 West 77th Street, in November of 2019 for $106.4 million, according to The Real Deal. The report stated that Olnick is planning to make improvements to the building and hold it for the long term.
Our reader just found out about the closing of The Cottage from his doorman. He tells us they started clearing out about a week ago.
The Cottage had very mixed reviews. These include quite a few former fans who’ve remarked about the declining quality of food over the years.
The original Cottage restaurant opened on 76th and Columbus in 1981. A year later, they relocated to 77th and Amsterdam.
We called the restaurant’s main number but didn’t get an answer (the mailbox was not accepting new messages).
I live in this building and this information is correct. They are clearing out the building one lease at a time. As your lease comes to be renewed they tell you it won’t be renewed. They planned to have most tenants out by December 2020 prior to COVID. I will say although Hampton Management was unwilling to work with us on lowering rent through these hard times, they were willing to let us vacate the building at anytime before our lease expiration date as long as we gave them 30 days notice. We are moving out on May 1st.
Thank you for the additional info. I appreciate it!
This is terrible news! We have been regulars at Cottage for years, along with many other people in the neighborhood. We’re tired of the greedy and powerful coming in, putting people out of their homes and businesses, and raking in the cash. Where are ordinary New Yorkers supposed to live and do business? More national and global chains, fewer opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Is there any way we can help save The Cottage?
DESPICABLE!!!! As a frequent customer of The Cottage literally a few times each week, this is so heartbreaking for a staple of the neighborhood. I feel so sad for the staff and owner, and I would love to rally together in some way for them. Anyone know how to be in touch with them?
I loved the cottage – I remember the free bottles ( cardboard boxes) of wine! Great food. Also I don’t want to ad conjecture, but three main stay Asian restaurants in my small community upstate NY closed all within the same week during late March. I hope it’s not for feeling they weren’t loved and an integral part of the community.
I loved The Cottage! I have been going there for many years, with my aunt and now by myself or with friends!
I love ed the food and could order variations on what was on the menu.
Those damn greedy landlords are ruining so much in New York!
What a horrible decision. Another wonderful UWS neighborhood restaurant being forced out because of greed. Been in the neighborhood for 40 years and too many much loved businesses are forced out because landlords need more profit. When will this stop? Hope all of your in the building are safe and will do better!! However, I’m another sad UWSider. God bless all.
It’s unfortunate that the city doesn’t provide tax incentives to landlords who lease to small businesses who are the backbone of our neighborhoods.
I have lived in the UWS for more than 40 years. “Discovered” The Cottage one evening when a date and I wandered in after a movie 25 or so years ago. Ordered food, wine showed up. Finished the small carafe provided, more showed up. Wondered what kind of a scam was happening and whether I’d have an issue with the bill. As commentators here know, wine was included gratis. I love Chinese food and became a regular. The prices were so ridiculously low, especially with beverage included, that a 15-20% tip was so inconsequential I usually wound up tipping close to 50%, happily. Scallion pancakes with fresh peanut/scallion dipping sauce was fantastic. The earlier pancake formula was better than some more recent which had become quite dry. And, the prices, though still fair, weren’t quite such a value as once upon a time. So sad . . .
Oh wow! I actually think their food generally was quite unremarkable (and the wine more unremarkable, but hey, it’s free!) although we loved a few of their dumpling dishes. We actually had our “last supper” here the night before all restaurants went to take-out only. SAD!!!
I loved it and I loved their staff – wonderful food and wondeful warm people ! I hope they are all doing well. I truly hope that after all this craziness is over they reopen in an even better spot – there are so many empty storefronts the landlords will have to get smart someday and lower the prices
Greed….destroys neighborhoods and families. The next time you vote tell your representative that Developers must be stopped.
Heartbreaking…and feel so powerless to do anything. One of my favorite restaurants in the city, not just for the food and free wine, but the sense of community and longevity . It’s an institution – these landlords should be ashamed of themselves for ripping apart the fabric of a strong neighborhood.
A curse on your house is the kindest thing I can say for making a buck on the lives of working people.
I am a retired local teacher who would still make special trips to enjoy the hot and sour soup and the pork dumplings (the best in NYC!)
In January, Peter had told me that the landlord was allowing him to stay and was very reasonable. Again, this was pre COVID-19 closings.
We can conjecture all we want, but we need fact-based info.
Thus this comment. I do sincerely hope the Peter and the dumplings will return!
Interesting. I agree we need confirmed facts. I’ve just sent an email to the Olnick Organization to ask them if this story is true.
The hot and sour soup was my favorite, too! And the cold sesame noodles!
@LB Please keep us posted if you hear back from them! Would love to hear that this is all just a big misunderstanding, would be just the kind of news we could all use right now…
I talked to a fellow at Olnick, who said that they did not attempt to raise the rent. He said that Cottage’s lease was up, and Peter told him they could not afford the current rent. According to the person I talked to, Olnick did not refuse to renew the lease–they offered to renew at the current terms. There was not a lot of back and forth; it was cordial. My impression was that Peter felt they could not keep paying rent without bringing in income, and Olnick would not sign the lease given that Peter said he could not pay. It’s very sad and a great loss to the neighborhood.
@LB thank you so much for the update. It does seem like it’s Covid-19 related then (if they can’t afford the current rent but didn’t have issues before quarantine?). Either way, it truly is a loss for the community. Hopefully they’ll be able to relocate after this whole mess, though a new location won’t have the same charm 🙁 It’s a shame we couldn’t start a GoFundMe before it came to this, I have no doubt the local community would step up for Peter and the ladies!
@Lauren, if someone could find a way to get in touch with Peter, I would totally help out with a GoFundMe if it’s not too late. I agree people would step up, even now!
Does anyone know how to reach Peter?
@LB Maybe the OP would have a way of getting in touch? Or perhaps someone at Olnick? I agree, would be more than happy to help organize a GoFundMe if we could just figure out how to contact them…
I really hope Peter and all the lovely ladies who worked there can figure something out when this whole COVID-19 calms down. It’s not like real estate market is going to be immediately back to where it was anytime soon.
To me the Cottage is an institution. I grew up in the neighborhood and now live right across the street and have been coming here at least once a week for the last 25 years. It really upsets me that places like this keep disappearing. I really really really hope they can work something out or find a new location. I’ve been craving those dumplings for the last month and waiting for the day I can enjoy them again…..
Goodbye to the place I’ve relied on for Chinese take-out for the last 25 years. I hope the landlord goes to his just reward. Damn.
i find this despicable especially given the times we are living in. People show their best and their worst sides. The Cottage was an amazing restaurant. I ordered in from there a few times a week for the past 8 years.
I truly had hoped that the Pandemic would put things in perspective for people. You never know what the next day will bring, or if some tragedy could befall your loved one or family. Rent /property hikes make me physically sick. What happened to humanity, where are the priorities. I am so so sad for all that the Cottage is gone and that those affected by getting thrown out of their homes at this time by management companies that seem to be run by robots still exist. Maybe just maybe people will end up grateful and less selfish when this hits closer to their own complacent lives. I am so sorry for the UWS. I thought we knew better.
Get them to stop taking contributions from developers
Admittedly, my comment is late; but I haven’t been back to my city and neighborhood in many months. The loss of The Cottage and its “Seafood Dumplings Szechuan Style” breaks my heart. Sure, I called it, “All-you-can-drink Chinese,” but the food was some of my my favorite, and I made sure that everyone I knew experienced it. I’m so sad that it has to be reduced to a series of food memories.
I have lived in this neighborhood for a very long time and was a teenager when Peter first opened The COTTAGE doors on West 77th and Amsterdam
Everyone who knew Peter, knew he loved all his customers. We all know his customers were for the most part loyal and diehard fans of his, his staff and all they brought to this neighborhood. They were family to everyone who has been patronizing his business for over three and a half decades and even family to people who recently starting calling the uws their home.
IF PETER HADN’T TOLD ME HIMSELF THAT HE WAS WORN OUT, and READY TO RETIRE I would be the first to say we should do everything we can to help keep his restaurant in business. As sad as I am to see
THE COTTAGE close, I hope the next chapter of Peter’s life brings him the rest he deserves. Every time I pass 77th and Amsterdam I will think of our talks and many dishes that were loved by not only me but my family and longtime neighbors. Thank you for the memories,, Peter and thank you for making THE COTTAGE THE SWEET SPOT It was. You will be missed but never ever forgotten.? ?????????????????????