The recent closure of the famous Upper East Side restaurant Nello’s has left many in shock. The once-iconic eatery, known for its celebrity clientele and exorbitantly priced dishes, was shuttered after the owner, Thomas Makkos, reportedly failed to pay around $5 million in back rent. This led to a note from the New York City Marshal on the restaurant’s door declaring that the “landlord has legal possession of the premises.”
According to a source, issues with paying rent had been ongoing for years, dating back before the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant had allegedly not paid rent since 2019, with the source stating that “He never paid a dime. It’s insane.” The closure also revealed that Nello’s owed $240,996 to Con Edison, raising questions about how such a significant debt could go unpaid for so long.
Opened in 1992, Nello’s quickly became a hotspot for billionaires and celebrities alike, with the allure of extravagant $275 pasta dishes and the chance of spotting A-listers like Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, and Mick Jagger. The restaurant was also famously where Donald Trump courted Melania prior to their marriage. Despite the closure, Nello’s representative insists that negotiations with the landlord are ongoing, and there is hope for a reopening in the future.
The closure of Nello’s comes in the wake of the passing of Nello Balan, the charismatic founder of the restaurant. Balan, a Romanian-born billionaire, passed away last year due to complications from a brain tumor. His legacy lives on in the restaurant, despite his departure from the establishment following a falling out with co-owner Makkos in 2015. At the time, Balan compared their split to a marriage that didn’t work out, emphasizing that they remained in touch despite their professional differences.
While Nello’s was known for its star-studded clientele and luxurious menu, the restaurant was not without its share of controversies. In 2012, Nello’s faced a lawsuit for allegedly stiffing staffers, and in 2019, the restaurant received backlash after a woman sitting at the bar was asked to move to a table as part of a crackdown on escorts. Additionally, in 2020, staff claimed they were left shortchanged after being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the restaurant’s tumultuous history.
The closure of Nello’s marks the end of an era for the iconic Upper East Side establishment. Despite its celebrity appeal and luxurious offerings, financial woes and controversies ultimately led to its demise. As negotiations continue between the landlord and the restaurant’s owners, the future of Nello’s remains uncertain. Whether it reopens in its original location or emerges in a new setting, the legacy of Nello’s and its founder, Nello Balan, will continue to captivate the imaginations of New Yorkers and celebrity diners.