22 • OUR TOWN • December 7, 2006 NEWS YOU LIVE BY

2006 small business awards FOOD SERVICES

experience in the restaurant business, has owned “We have an eclectic crowd of customers,”
this neighborhood pub for 26 years. His partners Jones said. “I’d say our age demographic of cus-
are Frank Granat, Ron D’Allegro and Stephen tomers is 30 to 100. We run the gamut.”
Siegel. Hanging on the restau-
Knickerbocker first The Knickerbocker Bar and Grill rant’s walls are authentic
opened its doors on April 21, 33 University Place posters celebrating New York
1977. Jones believes that 212-228-8490 City, as well as eight original
despite the ups and downs of www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com Al Hirschfeld caricatures.

ANDREW SCHWARTZ
the economy over the years, “The wide-open space of
reliable service and food keeps the locals coming the restaurant and the vibe inside gives The
in for a meal. Knickerbocker the feeling of a New York saloon,”
“Our steakhouse is known for its value and is Jones said.
Stephen Siegel and Ron D’Allegro operate a not as expensive as other steakhouses,” he said. Another draw: live music. Knickerbocker has
Greenwich Village favorite, Knickerbocker Bar and “We’ve been around for 30 years and are well- had live jazz entertainment since the second year
Grill. known. We’re a great neighborhood place with it opened. Currently, patrons can listen to jazz two
repeat busi- nights a week (visit the website for a calendar of
Live Jazz and T-Bones at 2 am ness.”
Popular
entertainment). Jones says that Harry Connick,
Jr. got his start there.
Favorite Village bar and grill menu choices include Knickerbocker’s trademark The restaurant also draws in well-known writ-
T-bone steak and the chocolate soufflé for two. ers and actors. Mel Brooks, F. Murray Abraham
By Rachel Sokol Jones said that when it comes to drinks, the and Chris Noth have stopped in for meals. Jones,
If you want to take more than just a bite out of restaurant draws a large martini crowd. The who is very hands-on with every aspect of the
the Big Apple, look no further than the ambiance inside is warm and inviting, with a business, believes that value is what keeps his
Knickerbocker Bar and Grill, a popular wide-open room, as opposed to smaller rooms restaurant thriving.
Greenwich Village hangout. joined together or tables so close together you “People feel they’re getting their money’s
Stephen Jones, who has more than 30 years can join in on your neighbor’s conversation. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

from spicy entrees such as lamb and chicken from a supermarket

A Lincoln Square Jewel vindaloo, to milder tikkas, kormas and
masalas, artfully prepared by chef Vijay
and warehouse.
A strong believer
Bhargva. Vegetarian fare is also offered, with in the Lincoln Square
Sapphire serves up Indian unusual dishes as well as old favorites such as veg- community,
etable byryani with saffron and nuts. The wine list is Sapphire provides
By Caroline Jaffe-Pickett extensive, and they offer more than a dozen types of appetizers and
With its eclectic décor and hearty menu showcas- breads—including naan, paratha and poori. desserts as dona-
ing regional Indian cuisines, Sapphire offers hungry A restaurateur for nearly 30 years, Satish grew up tions during the
feasters an authentic and affordable dining treat in the in northern Punjab, India, were he learned the busi- Lincoln Square
heart of Lincoln Square. ness from his family. Sapphire serves more than 200 blood drives, and
Satish Arora is one of the partners of Sapphire, dinners nightly, and also features a moderately priced also participates in
which opened six years ago just before Time Warner lunch buffet Mondays through Saturdays. “We pride the annual Winter’s
Center was completed. That development was a key ourselves on being different, and offering great food Eve at Lincoln

ANDREW SCHWARTZ
reason Arora and his partners at moderate prices,” Satish said. Square event to kick
chose the area. Sapphire Indian Cuisine If you feel like you’re in India off the holiday sea-
“We liked that these new busi- 1845 Broadway while you’re dining, that’s not a son. Despite chal-
nesses were going up, and saw that 212-245-4444 mistake. The restaurant’s special lenges such as near-
the neighborhood would be great www.sapphireindiancuisine.com décor includes authentic wall by subway and street
Satish Arora and his partners
for us,” he said. hangings from Rajastan and an construction, Satish
were attracted to the dynamic
Sapphire is one of the few Indian restaurants in the antique 100-year-old door, marking the dining room and his crew are
Lincoln Square neighborhood
neighborhood, he said, and most definitely fills a void entrance, which the restaurant’s owners imported. good sports, happy
as a home for their restaurant.
for those craving curries, samosas and pakoras. The This is just part of the $1 million renovation that to grow with a neigh-
varied menu offers diners a broad range of dishes, Sapphire underwent when the space was transformed borhood that has served him so well.

wife’s nickname as a child. Sandy grew up in

Bringing New Life to an Old Corner Honduras and that is where the two met, in a café sim-
ilar to the one they now own.
Food, music and community neighborhood here,” said Monica Ibacache. “I met my “I used to work for restaurants, hotels and other
new group of friends here.” similar businesses in my country,” said Sandy.
By Sherry Karabin Located at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Today she puts her talents to work for herself and
By day it’s a coffee 109th Street, La Negrita opened its doors in January she said she loves it. “I meet a lot of people everyday.
house; by night a cozy 2005. The owners, Mike and Sandy Savage, are also Everybody is friendly and it’s mine. I’m my own boss.”
lounge. It’s called La Upper West Siders, who until recently lived above The restaurant stays open seven days a week from
Negrita and this their restaurant. 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., with extended late-night hours on the
Upper West Side busi- Sandy runs the day-to-day operations weekends. There are eight full- and part-
La Negrita
ness is quickly becom- at La Negrita, but it was her husband, time employees, and the menu includes
999 Columbus Avenue
ing a favorite among Mike, who decided to open it, designing sandwiches, homemade soups, pastries
212-961-1676
residents. it in a style that he became familiar with and, of course, coffee. The Savages get
www.lanegritanyc.com
“It livens up the back home. The Seattle native moved their beans from what Mike called the
area,” said regular into the neighborhood in the late 1990s. He said he has “best independent roaster in Seattle, Café Vita.” There
Neil Fitzgerald. “It is always loved the area, but felt as though something are tables, benches and a bar where patrons can sit
one of the few places was missing. back, order a drink, chat and on some nights, listen to
Sandy and Mike Savage mod- that provides live “In Seattle, there is a coffee house on every cor- live music, play trivia or hear poetry readings.
eled their restaurant, La music and we need ner,” Mike said. “I wanted to add this amenity to the Customers are even allowed to bring in their own
Negrita, after a Seattle coffee more of that.” area. We designed it as a place where people could food. “On any given night, you’ll find every religion
shop. The couple met in a “I feel like I get to relax as if they were in their living room.” and ethnicity here,” Mike said.
similar café in Honduras. know people in the He named his creation “La Negrita,” which was his CONTINUED ON PAGE 26