The Razaghi family, father Kaie, son Alex and his wife Joy, have been serving Roosevelt Island residents breakfast, lunch and dinner at their Island House Main Street restaurant beginning in 1998 , first as the Trellis Diner and since 2017, the current Nisi Kitchen.
Change is coming again to NISI. According to owner Alex Razaghi:
NISI is evolving. We’ve moved beyond our classic diner style to bring you a refreshed menu that blends familiar comfort with a more modern approach. You’ll still find the warmth and welcome you’ve always known here — but now with seasonal ingredients, refined flavors, and dishes that reflect where we’re headed.
Come in and see the steps we’ve taken — and the steps we will continue to take — as we evolve into something new. Our breakfast menu is now served from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. And we’re not stopping there — dinner service is set to debut as early as next week.
We’re crafting a neighborhood gathering place where the sun‑drenched flavors of the Mediterranean meet the freshness of coastal New York. Expect locally sourced produce, seasonal seafood and slow‑roasted meats alongside handmade pastas, aromatic herbs and vibrant salads. From casual lunchtime plates to leisurely evening dinners, we invite you to taste, share and savour.
This change is just the beginning. Over the coming months, we’ll introduce more fresh ideas, updated dishes, and thoughtful changes to the space, creating an experience that grows right alongside our community.
Alex & Joy Razaghi In Front Of NISI Tonight
We can’t wait for you to see — and taste — what’s next.
I liked it much better when it was a completely unpretentious diner where I could get my turkey burger with cole slaw on the side and a cup of coffee, or a quick omelette on a morning when I wasn’t in the mood to make my own. Now it’s just a clone of ten thousand other mediocre restaurants stuck in the wasteland between fast food and fine dining — without a soul, without a personality. So I’ve voted with my money: I used to go there once every couple of weeks but since the big renovation several years ago I don’t think I’ve been back more than twice, and I found it utterly boring. This neighborhood needs a diner, not a “concept” or an “experience”.
This is a very expensive direction for what used to be a solid diner option!! My family’s really going to miss our reliable greasy spoon.
While I’m genuinely excited for the new menu, I would encourage the owners to include a few affordable diner favorites, or Senior discounts for accessibility. (said as a 30 y/o, lol.)
I love how the Razaghi family is investing in RI and doing their part to elevate our shared living space here! Thank you (“Mr. K”, Alex and Joy) for trying out new things! It seems to me that as the Island grows, so must its businesses. Thank you for serving our Island community so faithfully for so long! We need more families like yours!!!
$17.00 for a ham and cheese omelet? You’ve got to be kidding! Halve the price and I would consider it. Totally outrageous, unless you are trying to cater to tourists and care nothing about the R.I. community.
Congrats to the family for their revamp! I understand wanting to make a change, but we are sad to have lost our reliable crowd pleasing family spot. While fancy sandwiches, pastas and steak can be found at other spots on the island, it’s much harder to find the all-inclusive affordable family breakfast spot the diner was.
Although it’s a takeout dining experience, I can’t ignore that a ham and cheese omelette with home fries is $10 cheaper next door at bread and butter, or that just fruit is so expensive on this new menu! Given the economy and the trend towards more upscale experiences, it looks like this is now a much less affordable option. Still, wish them all the best and may be in to try the new menu after a raise 🙂
I am also curious who the target audience is… when tourists are hungry while walking around the island, I imagine they’re less likely to stop at a fine dining spot for a bite than a classic NY diner. It seems a less family friendly + more restrictive menu, so anyone with kids I imagine is less likely to come. Whereas one could go casually every weekend, fine dining is less common in people’s plans, especially when things are this expensive for some common dishes that can be found elsewhere. I of course don’t know the business’s expenses and net profit, but this seems like a more restrictive experience than heading to a diner (which is also harder to find on the east side and in LIC, so it had a special appeal anyways). I wonder what research or polling went into this decision.
As mentioned, wish them all the best! Just will miss the old NISI.
I tried to find direct contact info for Nisi on their new website, and was unable, so I thought I’d offer some friendly feedback here:
I ordered delivery from the new menu this morning. While none of my old staples (grilled cheese, grape leaves, and a hummus wrap) were an option, I decided to go with the Eggs Benedict, to give the new menu a chance. If the fewer items and higher prices seemed worth it, I’d be willing to order again. It arrived cold, with the sauce and egg yolks dripping out into the plastic bag. The included few potatoes and green salad were all combined with the eggs, spinach, and English muffin; and the vinaigrette sauce had run all over everything. I understand that they may still be in the midst of a transition, so instead of passing judgment yet, I offer my experience as feedback so that they may improve the service.
I do hope they improve the service as I’ve been a loyal customer, both in person and via delivery. It would be a shame to have to find other options.
Ok anyone who orders eggs Benny for delivery is a fool. Seriously, hollandaise sauce in a delivery and you expected better? The best Nisi could have done is refuse to deliver an item like that.
This is what I think the commenters don’t understand about the new Nisi Bistro…. aka, The Continental, The Green Kitchen, Andy’s Place, Trellis, Nisi Kitchen….I may have missed one or two names during my many decades on RI.
The main reason that Kaie, Alex and Joy, who are lovely, hardworking people, are doing this is because they are trying something new before they have to close. They are not making any money, probably losing money. They are just trying to survive. They are not trying to gouge island residents!
But here is the problem. What the Razaghi’s sadly did not understand is that no one wanted their 3 year, very costly and unfortunately badly designed renovation and reboot which is now sadly a Main Street eyesore. All Islanders really wanted was a fresh but simply renovated modern or maybe retro diner….a clean kitchen, friendly service, and pretty decent diner food. The island did not need a poorly prepared 20 page menu of food that could not be fresh. More likely canned and frozen. What we got was a cold, unattractive renovation, mediocre service at best and honestly mostly terrible food. Roosevelt Island is a very unique place. As we have seen over the years, successful stores are few and far between on Main Street. Restaurants here are competing with all of NYC five minutes away! The restaurant business everywhere is notoriously difficult anyway. The more upscale island residents will decide to spend their money off the island or eat fresh ingredients cooked at home.
In my time on RI I have seen two ice cream shops close, they could not survive here year round. The old diner, when renovated, could have included a fun retro ice cream/soda fountain at the counter which no longer exists. Families with kids and others would have loved it. The old “bakery” across the street closed years ago. Again, it was not good enough to survive on its own year round. The old Trellis diner could have included a very small but really good ‘fresh bread daily’ bakery in one small section of the restaurant. Have you seen the response to the small but fabulous bakery across the street at the Mediterranean Eatery (good food, terrible name.) The island needs GOOD bagels. When the Nisi renovation was planned they were adamant that there would be no booths even though we all told them that it was a terrible mistake. Booths are commonplace at many, many upscale restaurants in NYC as well as in diners. As you can see, they have gradually been adding banquettes back into Nisi and it is usually the only place where I see customers sitting. In the many years that our diner has existed the coffee business has exploded and they never really made an effort to compete and make a decent cup of coffee. Desserts the same. Most good restaurant offer up to 4 or 5 really good basic American desserts…for instance a brownie sundae, a fresh fruit pie a la mode, a succulent carrot cake and a creamy cheese cake. That’s all most New Yorkers need, just good ones.
The bar at Granny Annie’s (slightly better food) is generally busy in the evenings, Nisi, not so much.
Again, the bar is badly designed sharing awkward space with the servers station. It is really the hangout for the servers ignoring customers while on their cellphones.
The bottom line is that their business and renovation plan was wrong for Roosevelt Island. The new Nisi Bistro food is undeniably much better with the new chef but it’s too expensive and limited for this Island and not what the residents and their children really want. Recall that when they first reopened after the big renovation they tried a very poorly received “upscale” menu which was quickly reversed back to the lower priced diner menu. Nisi also needs to learn how to advertise, tastefully, online and on kiosks and with handouts and with mailings and a coupon. They should try to arrange with RIOC/Hudson Related to be part of a restaurant only directional post or small kiosk by Motorgate, the Subway, Tram, Four Freedoms, and the Lighthouse. Nisi should have a table at the Saturday Green market (and at every island event) with menu’s and samples and coupons. RIOC and Hudson Related have a vested interest in the success of restaurants on the island and should be pressured.
I sincerely hope for their sake that they survive but as it stands now I have very little confidence in that happening which is very sad. Nisi is the logical place to be a cozy meeting place for the entire island I hope it can get there!
To be fair, my reviews of other island eateries….
China One restaurant – terrible atmosphere and food and is filthy
Noodle Shop – ok small space, too spicy for me but hope its good
Cafe Aviva – very attractive and good fresh food
ME eatery – very attractive, bad name, and decent coffee and sweets
Subway – smells, and what you would expect from a Subway
Rolls and Bowls – terrible atmosphere, smells and food is awful
Piccolo Pizza – space ok for a pizzeria but really not very good pizza. We sometimes order off the island. They need better quality sauce and cheese. They are certainly not an Italian restaurant.
Fuji East – ok small space, food is mediocre.
Granny Annie’s – attractive space but food is mostly only ok – mediocre.
Starbucks is Starbucks – not for me but hope they remain open for the coffee drinkers as many are being closed
Anything at All – attractive space, terrible name and service, food is only ok, but not for the price. Panorama Room – nice view, off island crowd.
Cornell – nice place to walk to and sit but cafeteria food quality.
Both of our Deli’s are basically fine although Wholesome Factory housekeeping is not as good as it used to be and I really dislike the unsavory crowd that is sometimes hanging out cursing and smoking at Bread and Butter. Not going there if kids are with me, but I really appreciate their aesthetic upgrades over the years.
The Saturday Greenmarket is wonderful but I wish RIOC would clean up better. The olive pickle section in particular spills lots of oil on the ground staining the plaza tiles. I wish RIOC would power wash the sidewalks and plaza once in a while.
I have no idea how many islanders read this blog but I wish it was a lot more. Miss the Main Street WIRE! Thanks to all the volunteers who dropped it at every door and building for so many years.
Classy … that’s the word that comes to mind when visiting Nisi’s new digs. The dinner menu is not huge or overwhelming (as in diner-style) … the description simple-elegant comes to me. Every single item offered on it makes my mouth water, and the final presentation set in front of you? It’s beautiful … (picture the Italian gesture for excellence). The restaurant itself has been upgraded to a more stylish feel. I especially like the outside garden area.
All this said, I would join them more often if even just a few, of the dishes offered on Nisi’s old diner-style menu, were included on their new sophisticated menu. I liked my lower priced salmon-avocado burger, and my chicken picada. As well, it would be nice to see Platters-to-Share for those of us who want to gather, sip a drink, and pick instead of investing in an entire meal.
I understand that it takes time for change to take hold and I understand that Nisi hasn’t finished yet … they have a great team gathering thoughts and ideas. I look forward to even just a few weeks from now. Hmmm … what are they going to do? Joyce
It’s a joke. Fewer choices and higher prices. Can’t wait to see the dinner menu. I don’t believe this is what Roosevelt Islanders want or need.
I liked it much better when it was a completely unpretentious diner where I could get my turkey burger with cole slaw on the side and a cup of coffee, or a quick omelette on a morning when I wasn’t in the mood to make my own. Now it’s just a clone of ten thousand other mediocre restaurants stuck in the wasteland between fast food and fine dining — without a soul, without a personality. So I’ve voted with my money: I used to go there once every couple of weeks but since the big renovation several years ago I don’t think I’ve been back more than twice, and I found it utterly boring. This neighborhood needs a diner, not a “concept” or an “experience”.
This is a very expensive direction for what used to be a solid diner option!! My family’s really going to miss our reliable greasy spoon.
While I’m genuinely excited for the new menu, I would encourage the owners to include a few affordable diner favorites, or Senior discounts for accessibility. (said as a 30 y/o, lol.)
I love how the Razaghi family is investing in RI and doing their part to elevate our shared living space here! Thank you (“Mr. K”, Alex and Joy) for trying out new things! It seems to me that as the Island grows, so must its businesses. Thank you for serving our Island community so faithfully for so long! We need more families like yours!!!
$17.00 for a ham and cheese omelet? You’ve got to be kidding! Halve the price and I would consider it. Totally outrageous, unless you are trying to cater to tourists and care nothing about the R.I. community.
Congrats to the family for their revamp! I understand wanting to make a change, but we are sad to have lost our reliable crowd pleasing family spot. While fancy sandwiches, pastas and steak can be found at other spots on the island, it’s much harder to find the all-inclusive affordable family breakfast spot the diner was.
Although it’s a takeout dining experience, I can’t ignore that a ham and cheese omelette with home fries is $10 cheaper next door at bread and butter, or that just fruit is so expensive on this new menu! Given the economy and the trend towards more upscale experiences, it looks like this is now a much less affordable option. Still, wish them all the best and may be in to try the new menu after a raise 🙂
I am also curious who the target audience is… when tourists are hungry while walking around the island, I imagine they’re less likely to stop at a fine dining spot for a bite than a classic NY diner. It seems a less family friendly + more restrictive menu, so anyone with kids I imagine is less likely to come. Whereas one could go casually every weekend, fine dining is less common in people’s plans, especially when things are this expensive for some common dishes that can be found elsewhere. I of course don’t know the business’s expenses and net profit, but this seems like a more restrictive experience than heading to a diner (which is also harder to find on the east side and in LIC, so it had a special appeal anyways). I wonder what research or polling went into this decision.
As mentioned, wish them all the best! Just will miss the old NISI.
I tried to find direct contact info for Nisi on their new website, and was unable, so I thought I’d offer some friendly feedback here:
I ordered delivery from the new menu this morning. While none of my old staples (grilled cheese, grape leaves, and a hummus wrap) were an option, I decided to go with the Eggs Benedict, to give the new menu a chance. If the fewer items and higher prices seemed worth it, I’d be willing to order again. It arrived cold, with the sauce and egg yolks dripping out into the plastic bag. The included few potatoes and green salad were all combined with the eggs, spinach, and English muffin; and the vinaigrette sauce had run all over everything. I understand that they may still be in the midst of a transition, so instead of passing judgment yet, I offer my experience as feedback so that they may improve the service.
I do hope they improve the service as I’ve been a loyal customer, both in person and via delivery. It would be a shame to have to find other options.
Ok anyone who orders eggs Benny for delivery is a fool. Seriously, hollandaise sauce in a delivery and you expected better? The best Nisi could have done is refuse to deliver an item like that.
I can no longer afford to eat here.
This is what I think the commenters don’t understand about the new Nisi Bistro…. aka, The Continental, The Green Kitchen, Andy’s Place, Trellis, Nisi Kitchen….I may have missed one or two names during my many decades on RI.
The main reason that Kaie, Alex and Joy, who are lovely, hardworking people, are doing this is because they are trying something new before they have to close. They are not making any money, probably losing money. They are just trying to survive. They are not trying to gouge island residents!
But here is the problem. What the Razaghi’s sadly did not understand is that no one wanted their 3 year, very costly and unfortunately badly designed renovation and reboot which is now sadly a Main Street eyesore. All Islanders really wanted was a fresh but simply renovated modern or maybe retro diner….a clean kitchen, friendly service, and pretty decent diner food. The island did not need a poorly prepared 20 page menu of food that could not be fresh. More likely canned and frozen. What we got was a cold, unattractive renovation, mediocre service at best and honestly mostly terrible food. Roosevelt Island is a very unique place. As we have seen over the years, successful stores are few and far between on Main Street. Restaurants here are competing with all of NYC five minutes away! The restaurant business everywhere is notoriously difficult anyway. The more upscale island residents will decide to spend their money off the island or eat fresh ingredients cooked at home.
In my time on RI I have seen two ice cream shops close, they could not survive here year round. The old diner, when renovated, could have included a fun retro ice cream/soda fountain at the counter which no longer exists. Families with kids and others would have loved it. The old “bakery” across the street closed years ago. Again, it was not good enough to survive on its own year round. The old Trellis diner could have included a very small but really good ‘fresh bread daily’ bakery in one small section of the restaurant. Have you seen the response to the small but fabulous bakery across the street at the Mediterranean Eatery (good food, terrible name.) The island needs GOOD bagels. When the Nisi renovation was planned they were adamant that there would be no booths even though we all told them that it was a terrible mistake. Booths are commonplace at many, many upscale restaurants in NYC as well as in diners. As you can see, they have gradually been adding banquettes back into Nisi and it is usually the only place where I see customers sitting. In the many years that our diner has existed the coffee business has exploded and they never really made an effort to compete and make a decent cup of coffee. Desserts the same. Most good restaurant offer up to 4 or 5 really good basic American desserts…for instance a brownie sundae, a fresh fruit pie a la mode, a succulent carrot cake and a creamy cheese cake. That’s all most New Yorkers need, just good ones.
The bar at Granny Annie’s (slightly better food) is generally busy in the evenings, Nisi, not so much.
Again, the bar is badly designed sharing awkward space with the servers station. It is really the hangout for the servers ignoring customers while on their cellphones.
The bottom line is that their business and renovation plan was wrong for Roosevelt Island. The new Nisi Bistro food is undeniably much better with the new chef but it’s too expensive and limited for this Island and not what the residents and their children really want. Recall that when they first reopened after the big renovation they tried a very poorly received “upscale” menu which was quickly reversed back to the lower priced diner menu. Nisi also needs to learn how to advertise, tastefully, online and on kiosks and with handouts and with mailings and a coupon. They should try to arrange with RIOC/Hudson Related to be part of a restaurant only directional post or small kiosk by Motorgate, the Subway, Tram, Four Freedoms, and the Lighthouse. Nisi should have a table at the Saturday Green market (and at every island event) with menu’s and samples and coupons. RIOC and Hudson Related have a vested interest in the success of restaurants on the island and should be pressured.
I sincerely hope for their sake that they survive but as it stands now I have very little confidence in that happening which is very sad. Nisi is the logical place to be a cozy meeting place for the entire island I hope it can get there!
To be fair, my reviews of other island eateries….
China One restaurant – terrible atmosphere and food and is filthy
Noodle Shop – ok small space, too spicy for me but hope its good
Cafe Aviva – very attractive and good fresh food
ME eatery – very attractive, bad name, and decent coffee and sweets
Subway – smells, and what you would expect from a Subway
Rolls and Bowls – terrible atmosphere, smells and food is awful
Piccolo Pizza – space ok for a pizzeria but really not very good pizza. We sometimes order off the island. They need better quality sauce and cheese. They are certainly not an Italian restaurant.
Fuji East – ok small space, food is mediocre.
Granny Annie’s – attractive space but food is mostly only ok – mediocre.
Starbucks is Starbucks – not for me but hope they remain open for the coffee drinkers as many are being closed
Anything at All – attractive space, terrible name and service, food is only ok, but not for the price. Panorama Room – nice view, off island crowd.
Cornell – nice place to walk to and sit but cafeteria food quality.
Both of our Deli’s are basically fine although Wholesome Factory housekeeping is not as good as it used to be and I really dislike the unsavory crowd that is sometimes hanging out cursing and smoking at Bread and Butter. Not going there if kids are with me, but I really appreciate their aesthetic upgrades over the years.
The Saturday Greenmarket is wonderful but I wish RIOC would clean up better. The olive pickle section in particular spills lots of oil on the ground staining the plaza tiles. I wish RIOC would power wash the sidewalks and plaza once in a while.
I have no idea how many islanders read this blog but I wish it was a lot more. Miss the Main Street WIRE! Thanks to all the volunteers who dropped it at every door and building for so many years.
Classy … that’s the word that comes to mind when visiting Nisi’s new digs. The dinner menu is not huge or overwhelming (as in diner-style) … the description simple-elegant comes to me. Every single item offered on it makes my mouth water, and the final presentation set in front of you? It’s beautiful … (picture the Italian gesture for excellence). The restaurant itself has been upgraded to a more stylish feel. I especially like the outside garden area.
All this said, I would join them more often if even just a few, of the dishes offered on Nisi’s old diner-style menu, were included on their new sophisticated menu. I liked my lower priced salmon-avocado burger, and my chicken picada. As well, it would be nice to see Platters-to-Share for those of us who want to gather, sip a drink, and pick instead of investing in an entire meal.
I understand that it takes time for change to take hold and I understand that Nisi hasn’t finished yet … they have a great team gathering thoughts and ideas. I look forward to even just a few weeks from now. Hmmm … what are they going to do? Joyce