Nothing BRIGHT (FOODS) About It: death of a diner

I’ll admit it, I had never ventured into the Bright Food Shop at 8th Avenue and West 21st Street in Chelsea. An old NY Magazine review said: Sit with your morning cup of Joe and behold the construction of true huevos rancheros, with two layers of soft tortilla, two eggs, and a mass of beans, sour cream, cilantro, and melted jack cheese. For dinner, try a bowl of green-chile posole with smoky cornbread on the side. There’s a sturdy chili also.

I had always admired its old fashioned neon sign, though. Jeremiah Moss of Vanishing New York says there has been a restaurant of some kind on the spot since 1907, and the Bright Food Shop sign has been there since 1938. It was a combination epicurean center and restaurant specializing in both Mexican and Asian comestibles.

 

 

 

And check the incredible retro interiors, the red and aqua decor and the swivel chairs by the counter. Your webmaster doesn’t often enter restaurants, to be honest with you, because I’m frequently on my own on jaunts and don’t prefer to eat in restaurants alone. I might have to amend the practice, since places like this are closing all over town (re Moondance Diner) as rents are rising to heights that are unaffordable for even successful eateries. Only the chains can afford them now.

11/18/07