by Ashley Parriman
As the Second Avenue subway construction may not be completed until 2017, many Upper East Side businesses are facing tough economic losses with no end in sight. In order to ensure that the Upper East Side retains small businesses, it's vital that the community continue to support them. Three businesses located along Second Avenue in the 90’s that are deserving of continued patronage include Nina’s Argentinian Pizza restaurant, Bagel Express, and BJ’s Magazines.
Nina’s Argentinian pizza restaurant is unlike any other pizzeria in the city. First, it can lay claim to the title of New York City's only Argentinian pizza restaurant. What makes pizza Argentinian, you ask? Well talk to the owner. He obtained the recipe from none other than Nina herself, his Argentine grandmother. The pizzas, which come in three different sizes, offer interesting combinations, including ingredients such as eggplant and prosciutto. Regardless of toppings, it’s the unusual use of muenster cheese that gives each pizza its wonderfully unique flavor. Nina’s pizzas are also distinguishable from the rest of the NYC pizza neighborhood by their thick crust. A meal at Nina’s commences with a basket of tasty bread served alongside eggplant and olive oil for dipping. 
Nina’s isn’t just a pizza restaurant, but it offers appetizers such as empanadas, zesty salads, fresh pastas, traditional Italian meat dishes like chicken parmesan, and European desserts such as panqueques de dulche de leche, flan, gelato, and affogato. The wine pairings, some Argentinian, are enticing and reasonably priced. Besides offering delicious fare, Nina’s possesses a cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is small, seating approximately 15 people. It's easily described as a hole-in-the-wall, the type that you can't wait to share with your friends before anyone else does. The service is impeccable; water glasses are filled long before they are finished, and the waitstaff, which often includes the owner himself, is friendly and accommodating. It’s the type of service one wouldn’t expect in a cozy neighborhood favorite but rather in a more upscale eatery. Nina’s offers a $9.95 weekend brunch of standard egg dishes or French toast which includes potatoes, mimosa or orange juice, and coffee or tea. Nina’s also delivers, but keep in mind that there is a $10 minimum. Whether you choose to eat in or go for takeout, Nina’s is cash only.
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DETAILS:
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Nina’s Argentinian Pizza Restaurant
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1750 Second Avenue between 91st and 92nd Streets
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Closed Tuesday
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Open Monday, Wednesday-Friday 5-11 p.m.
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Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Bagel Express is a go-to spot for any meal, but perhaps most popular for weekend mornings and afternoons when waking up after a late night calls for comforting carbs. And if you can’t make it outside your apartment, Bagel Express delivers. If you feel like staying awhile at Bagel Express, there are a number of tables for dining in. Come on the weekend and you’ll find a line out the door and excellent people watching. Aside from a variety of bagels, the stop offers a variety of mouth-watering spreads and salads, Boar’s Head cold cuts, homemade soups, knishes, bakery goods, hot grilled sandwiches, and even sides such as French fries. Make sure to come with cash or be prepared to pay the fee for the in-store ATM.
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DETAILS:
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Bagel Express
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804 Second Avenue between 93rd and 94th Streets
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Hours: Monday-Saturday 6 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sunday: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Phone: (212) 426-5577
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Fax: (212) 426-8300
If you enjoy the pristine appearance of airport magazine stores, BJ’s Magazines will delight you. This spotless store contains a myriad of magazines and newspapers, from home design reads such as Industrial Design Magazine to standard gossip rags such as OK Magazine. The store offers an unusually large collection of European fashion magazines. It’s the perfect place to while away a portion of an hour thumbing through a stack of possible purchases. There’s even a large wooden table for spreading out the glossies. Don’t forget to pour yourself a cup of coffee or grab an ice cream treat from the cooler. If you need a greeting card, you can pick up one here. The store also sells a wide variety of candies, soft drinks, Lotto tickets, and has an ATM machine. BJ’s magazines is s a welcome alternative to browsing the magazine sections of a busy Duane Reade or the 86th Street Barnes and Noble.
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DETAILS:
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BJ’s Magazines
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819 Second Avenue between 94th and 95th Streets
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(212) 828-6272
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Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.- 11 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. -10 p.m.