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Update May 21, 2013- The customer flow to the new SouthWestNY has been a pleasant surprise for owner Abraham Merchant. People in town for site-seeing are flocking to the sunny outdoor decks. Mr. Merchant said, “We are pleased that our outdoor café is well received by our neighbors and businesses. We are getting a diverse crowd of New Yorkers that live & work downtown, as well as tourist visiting 9/11 memorial as well as lower Manhattan.”
March 30, 2013
The new outdoor seating was opened up with great reception. It seems to be a hit. Note the long lines.
Update November 23, 2012
We ate dinner tonight at the newly opened SouthWestNY and the restaurant was full with many large tables of families. The crowds ranged from local Battery Park residents, to Tribeca, to out of town tourists. Also, there were no signs of the old Gate House drunks that have been a concern.
November 19, 2012
Albany and South End Avenue, (212) 945-0528
We dined at the new SouthWestNY restaurant tonight. It will be open to the public later this week. We can report good news. This restaurant has greatly improved upon the old SouthWestNY.
Under the guidance of new chef Antelmo Ambrosio, the tacos were filled with either high quality beef strips, large shrimp, or pulled pork. The quesadillas were fresh and not too smashed or greasy as some can be. The New York strip steak served with asparagus was worthy of a steakhouse, and all of the items are affordable enough ($14 to $25) to make this a weekly dining out experience.
The interior design is well done by Wid Chapman & Associates, with natural rustic wood walls and heavy tables that don’t rock. The bar stocks custom draft beers and is similar to Blue Smoke or North End Grill. The exterior windows were replaced with opening doors, and the outdoor seating is a much better use of the space.
One problem that owner Abraham Merchant will have to prevent is the congregation of the old Gate House chronic alcoholic crew. Hopefully, they have all found new watering holes by now.
Update: November 7, 2012
The Merchants restaurant family sent a blast email today stating that the new SouthWest NY restaurant on Albany and South End Ave will “Open this month”. That seems a little ambitious after peeking inside, but hopefully they are on schedule.
August 27, 2012
February, 2012
Construction begins on the new SouthWest at the old Gate House photo by BatteryPark.TV
Construction on the new SouthWest restaurant
The pizzas were frozen and pre-made in other locations. Hope they improve.
@ Editor Well maybe they’ll do better with neighborhood people coming around but only if their food improves!
My husband and I will give it a try next week. 🙂
and the beauty is you can pick up fruit out front……
Reply from editor
Not any more
I hope that place doesn’t become another gatehouse drunk hang for sure …. my boyfriend and I almost walked in last evening, but it looked way too crowded and seemed way too noisy for our liking, so we moseyed on to a quieter hang.
Leslie N
All the food is very fresh and authentic, this is better than most Mexican or Southwest places in NYC
“One problem that owner Abraham Merchant will have to prevent is the congregation of the old Gate House chronic alcoholic crew. Hopefully, they have all found new watering holes by now.”
Oh, give it time. They’ll be back.
To Chuana
Agree. Tonight is a great example. The Gateway gang is having a big party there and scheme to promote their special interests.
Editor
Yippeeeee. fed up with the outdoor seating at the other Merchants where all you can see is the river, trees, boats amd people strolling. Much prefer the overpriced food at Southwest and a view of the traffic on west Street!.
Yes – the seating out front is nice but they have now opened a small seating area in the back. The area has comfortable resort seating and standing room can accom 20 ppl. As the drinks flow the tone becomes louder. I live in Gateway which as everyone knows has poor insulation. I have made calls to the restaurant manager but now I have resorted to visiting the restaurant at 1120pm and with no response from the manager… asking the patrons to please lower their voices because it is a residential area and the loud foul language is scaring my child that is trying to sleep. It is going to be a long summer!