VOL. 23, NO. 10	NOVEMBER 21, 1997

he Office of Institutional Real Estate has announced that Columbia recently signed leases with the operators of two restaurants: Nacho Mama's, a popular neighborhood favorite that closed approximately two years ago after a fire, and an as yet unnamed bistro.

  "Since Columbia and Chase Manhattan have reached agreement on a new location for the bank (See Chase Bank Will Move to 109th St.), we can now begin releasing the commercial spaces that were being evaluated as potential new locations for the Chase Manhattan Bank branch," said Emily Lloyd, executive vice president for administration. "We believe that these two restaurants will further diversify the range of options available to those who live and work in Morningside Heights."

  Joshua Mandel, one of the owners of the original Nacho Mama's, which was not located in a Columbia-owned building, will open the new restaurant on Broadway between W. 112th and W. 113th Sts., in the space once occupied by the Japanese restaurant Daigaku and in the adjoining space occupied by Foto Rush. Foto Rush will be relocated to an alternate location in the neighborhood. The new Nacho Mama's is expected to open in about three months.

  Simon Oren, who operates several New York City restaurants, including Mad Fish and French Roast, purchased the lease held by the operators of Café 112. He will combine that space with the former Pizza Town space and open an informal, moderately priced bistro in four to six months.

  According to Deputy Vice President for Institutional Real Estate Bill Scott, "the Office of Institutional Real Estate has worked diligently over the last few years to identify and attract the broad range of services that residents of Morningside Heights have indicated that they want to see. Hopefully these restaurants will meet their expectations."

  In addition , Nussbaum and Wu, a new bakery at 112th St. and Broadway, has been undergoing extensive renovation and is scheduled to open next month.