Before Nero, the space was supposed to become a Dean & Deluca market in 2015, but the upscale grocery chain went defunct entirely. The address had been empty for quite some time because of its association with Trump, making it known as a retail pariah.
Nerolab’s sprawling restaurant was announced in 2020 and finally opened in April 2025. The company also runs a separate coffee shop, Nerolab Caffe, within the Midtown Trump Building on Fifth Avenue — it’s also unclear what’s happening with this. There had been plans to open 10 more locations in NYC by the end of the year.
Uptown brunch spot temporarily closes because of DOH
Upper West Side beer and biscuit spot Jacob’s Pickles has been temporarily closed by the New York City Health Department, as reported by West Side Rag. The news website reports that the 509 Amsterdam Avenue restaurant failed its inspection on Wednesday, June 4. Jacob’s owner Jacob Hadjigeorgis shares a statement with Eater (which is also posted on the door of the restaurant), explaining that “due to an issue uncovered by the Department of Health — referencing damaged areas of the facilities — it’s the necessary decision” to close and address the issues. The goal is to reopen “by the weekend.” He continues: “While unexpected, we are genuinely grateful that this issue was brought to our attention.”
Hadjigeorgis is in the middle of relocating the restaurant to a new address at 680 Columbus Avenue, and West 93rd Street, with the hope of opening by end of summer, according to the team. He’s holding onto the original location to turn it into a new bar called Velvet Cowboy.
King launches a summer cafe
Soho restaurant King — fresh off being listed on the New York Times’ Best 100 Restaurants list this week — is adding daytime service for the summer, dubbed Cafe King. Co-founders Jess Shadbolt and Annie Shi are taking their cues for the seasonal pop-up from French and Italian cafes. There will be coffee from Brooklyn roastery Caffe Vita. Pastry chef Fiona Thomas is crafting baked goods and dishes, including scones with whipped honey butter and strawberry-lavender preserves, frittata verde made with asparagus, chevre cheese, and mint, and a cured salmon, cucumber, and creme fraiche tartine. It started on June 4 and runs through Monday, August 4, taking place from 8 to 11 a.m. every day. Everything is available for takeout or dine-in. Shi is also opening her own Chinese American wine bar in Chinatown, Lei, tonight as an independent endeavor.
