Espresso By Day, Martinis By Night: Andiamo Opens On UES

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Andiamo, a new all-day café and bar with carefree nautical sensibilities, is opening in Yorkville on Wednesday, bringing espresso by morning and martinis by night.

The newly christened, sailing-inspired space on First Avenue, between East 88th and East 89th streets, had been home to Stella & Fly, another all-day café and bar concept for nearly eight years before it closed in January.

Now, the space has been taken over by Jason Vincze, a self-described "journeyman," who said he hopes to build on that legacy while putting his own stamp on the concept.

The new name, Andiamo, is a nod to a personal chapter in Vincze’s life — the Catalina 38 boat he lived on while working in Los Angeles before returning to New York City to put down roots earlier this year.

"It’s been a funny journey, and pretty much as nonlinear as it gets," Vincze said, describing a career path that began in finance before shifting to hospitality. "Every day sitting at the desk just started to hurt a little more and more."

After time in finance bookended by an invigorating stint as a sommelier, Vincze said opening a bar of his own — and returning to New York City — became his destiny.

Part of why Vincze wanted to keep the all-day concept was because he said he needed an espresso machine on hand for espresso martinis, which he says are the "star of the show."

"Our espresso martinis are made with real espresso, not cold brew or (god forbid) drip coffee, like some of the others in this town attempt to get away with," Vincze said.

The drink menu, by day, includes typical café fare, as well as an early-morning Guinness and espresso special and pastries from Eli Zabar.

By night, the menu includes picklebrine and limoncello martinis, and clever seasonal cocktails, like the "Last Word," which includes gin, green key chartreuse, maraschino and lime.

The evening menu also has a rotating wine list Vincze describes as "pretty bangin'," and DIY martinis, with several different olive options, like anchovy and bleu cheese.

Andiamo is also serving mocktails and nonalcoholic beverages, as well as nostalgic late-night hydration cures.

On the menu, for $4.50: "Electric blue Gatorade. yardy know what i'm talm 'bout."

For now, Andiamo is open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight. Martinis start at $17, which Vincze said reflects both quality and the generous pours.

"I have no intention of squeezing every dollar out of my patron," Vincze said. "I would much rather provide them great service at a good price and incentivize them to come back again and again."

Andiamo is located at 1705 First Ave.

Know of a business opening or closing on the Upper East Side? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.