New Northern Italian Eatery Planned In Yorkville

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The San Matteo Pizza & Espresso Bar, a neighborhood staple on the Upper East Side, could soon have a new tenant, courtesy of people who have previously worked at Sant Ambroeus and Felice.

Plans for Doria, a new northern Italian restaurant at 1716 Second Ave. on the corner of East 89th Street, first surfaced this week at Community Board 8's Street Life Committee meeting as the owners sought approval for a new liquor license.

The restaurant would take over the space currently occupied by San Matteo at the corner near Ruppert Park.

"We are experienced operators," partner Greg Giannone told the committee. "The partners in this group formerly have been with Sant Ambroeus and Felice. We are going to do Northern Italian, what we know best."

Giannone said the new restaurant would make few changes to the existing space and emphasized that the operators intend to fit seamlessly into the neighborhood.

"There'll be background music, no major changes inside, reasonable hours," he said to the committee. "We want to be a respectful neighbor and part of the neighborhood."

San Matteo will still have another location in the neighborhood at 1559 2nd Ave. near East 81st Street.

No word on when Doria plans to open.

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

Correction, July 15: Doria will not be operated by the hospitality group that owns Sant Ambroeus or Felice, but by people who once worked for the hospitality group.