If the food is good, they'll get repeat business from the market rate apartment owners/renters, as well as the Cornell crowd, and even Coler staff. It will all depend on the quality. There is $ on RI - although maybe not that much on Main St. A restaurant survives/thrives depending on repeat business - since most people are creatures of habit. They'll keep going back to the same place if they like the food. The affordability issue I do not think will be a problem for the market rate/more affluent residents - the prices seem expensive to us, but the prices are comparable to Astoria restaurant prices.
I agree that our corner of RI will never be a "destination" for tourists - even if they take the tram, and trek to the FDR Memorial, they do not seem to wander around the island, that is, wander north to take in Blackwell House, Good Shepherd Chapel, Dayspring, Octagon, and the Lighthouse. RIOC does not seem to have a "marketing" plan to draw tourists to the north end of RI. Nisi will make it on repeat business from the more affluent residents - the cooking will need to be such that they will come back. Nisi will not be a Main St strong-hold (that is a place the less affluent residents will frequent). I think something will be lost (for the less affluent residents) but something will be gained (for the more affluent residents).
Nisi has come up with an updated, and definitely pricier menu. It is unique and exciting - for a price. For those on a budget, it will probably be off-limits. It is no longer a coffee-shop & definitely has shed its "Greek diner" identity. I think it's great that fresh new menu options are going to be available - including a number of vegetarian options. Although I agree that Main St in general will never become a tourist destination, I do think there are enough affluent residents and non-residents who work on RI (Cornell, Coler) to make the success of a more upscale restaurant like Nisi a likelihood, maybe even a certainty. It will all depend on the cooking: If the dishes are well-executed, then the restaurant will thrive on repeat affluent resident business.
If the food is good, they'll get repeat business from the market rate apartment owners/renters, as well as the Cornell crowd, and even Coler staff. It will all depend on the quality. There is $ on RI - although maybe not that much on Main St. A restaurant survives/thrives depending on repeat business - since most people are creatures of habit. They'll keep going back to the same place if they like the food. The affordability issue I do not think will be a problem for the market rate/more affluent residents - the prices seem expensive to us, but the prices are comparable to Astoria restaurant prices.
I agree that our corner of RI will never be a "destination" for tourists - even if they take the tram, and trek to the FDR Memorial, they do not seem to wander around the island, that is, wander north to take in Blackwell House, Good Shepherd Chapel, Dayspring, Octagon, and the Lighthouse. RIOC does not seem to have a "marketing" plan to draw tourists to the north end of RI. Nisi will make it on repeat business from the more affluent residents - the cooking will need to be such that they will come back. Nisi will not be a Main St strong-hold (that is a place the less affluent residents will frequent). I think something will be lost (for the less affluent residents) but something will be gained (for the more affluent residents).
Nisi has come up with an updated, and definitely pricier menu. It is unique and exciting - for a price. For those on a budget, it will probably be off-limits. It is no longer a coffee-shop & definitely has shed its "Greek diner" identity. I think it's great that fresh new menu options are going to be available - including a number of vegetarian options. Although I agree that Main St in general will never become a tourist destination, I do think there are enough affluent residents and non-residents who work on RI (Cornell, Coler) to make the success of a more upscale restaurant like Nisi a likelihood, maybe even a certainty. It will all depend on the cooking: If the dishes are well-executed, then the restaurant will thrive on repeat affluent resident business.