By Howard Morrel & Leslie Hirsch
57th Street Report
Shelly Fireman, the legendary New York restaurateur and sculptor who transformed the city’s dining scene, has passed away at the age of 93.
Best known as the creative force behind Café Fiorello, located across from Lincoln Center, Fireman brought passion, humor, and artistry to every project he touched. Since its opening in 1974, Café Fiorello has remained a beloved Upper West Side destination, famous for its thin-crust pizzas, antipasto bar, and pre-theater charm.
Fireman’s influence stretched far beyond Fiorello. Through his Fireman Hospitality Group, he opened some of Manhattan’s most enduring restaurants, including Redeye Grill, Brooklyn Diner, Trattoria Dell’Arte, and Bond 45. His group now includes eight New York City locations and several in Washington, D.C., with annual sales projected to exceed $90 million.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Fireman credited his parents, Frances and Sam, for instilling in him a love of art, literature, and hospitality — values that became the foundation of his work. His restaurants were not just dining rooms but living galleries, filled with his own bronze sculptures and whimsical art that reflected his signature mix of sophistication and playfulness.
Even in his later years, Fireman’s creative drive never slowed. In 2024, he opened Paris Bar on West 57th Street — another stylish addition to his legacy of bold, welcoming spaces. Yet it is Café Fiorello, still thriving after 51 years, that remains his most enduring symbol of New York warmth and spirit.
In a heartfelt message shared by Café Fiorello on Instagram, the team wrote:
“Shelly was a beloved New Yorker, sculptor, and restaurateur whose warmth, creativity, and humor left a mark on the city’s dining and cultural scene. His legacy lives on in every space he touched, every guest he welcomed, and every memory he helped create.”
From The Hip Bagel in Greenwich Village in 1963 to his final opening at 93 years old, Shelly Fireman didn’t just build restaurants — he built community, laughter, and moments that defined generations of New Yorkers.
All the best,
Howard Morrel & Leslie Hirsch, Co-Founders, Trusts and Estates Division
Christie’s International Real Estate Group
