After nine remarkable years of serving up authentic Filipino flavors in the East Village, Jeepney, the brainchild of celebrated restaurateur Nicole Ponseca, has concluded its trailblazing run this month. The Filipino gastropub, a beloved culinary landmark, officially ceased operations on September 25th. This closure, however, marks not an end, but a strategic pivot as Ponseca sets her sights on a significant expansion of the Jeepney concept.
“My vision is to evolve Jeepney from an independent operation into a more robust entity with greater institutional support,” Ponseca explains. “This isn’t goodbye to Jeepney, but rather a transformation.” For the immediate future, this means bidding farewell to their long-standing location at 201 First Avenue, which has been home to Jeepney for nearly a decade and Ponseca’s sole brick-and-mortar venture in New York City recently. Looking ahead, Ponseca is actively seeking a partnership with a restaurant group to roll out a more accessible, casual iteration of her pioneering Jeepney restaurant across multiple cities. This ambitious expansion plan may very well include a return to New York, mirroring her successful venture into Miami’s vibrant Wynwood area earlier in the year.
“The goal is for Jeepney to evolve into a hybrid model,” Ponseca elaborates. “It’s envisioned as a fusion of fast-casual efficiency and fine-casual dining quality – what I like to call ‘fast-fancy’.” Jeepney first opened its doors in 2012, building upon the legacy of Maharlika, Ponseca’s initial Filipino restaurant which concluded its own successful nine-year journey in 2019. Both Jeepney and Maharlika have garnered widespread acclaim for their innovative and contemporary interpretations of Filipino cuisine, playing a pivotal role in introducing and popularizing Southeast Asian culinary traditions within the dynamic New York City food scene. At their peak, both establishments consistently ranked among the top Filipino restaurants in the city, lauded by critics and diners alike.
Spearheading a relatively niche regional cuisine demands immense dedication and perseverance. For Ponseca, the demanding role of an independent restaurant owner over the past decade has taken a personal toll. “A key factor in closing this chapter is my desire for a more balanced and fulfilling life,” she admits. “To truly realize the full potential of my vision for Jeepney, it requires a strong support structure. I aspire to move beyond being the sole driving force in every aspect.” This strategic closure arrives less than a year after Ponseca expanded the Jeepney brand, opening a second location alongside a new Filipino barbecue concept, Tita Baby’s, within the 1-800-Lucky Asian food hall and entertainment venue in Miami, Florida. Both Miami-based restaurants launched on January 2nd, marking a decade to the day since Ponseca initiated Maharlika as a pop-up restaurant in the East Village, demonstrating her enduring commitment to Filipino culinary excellence.
In its final weeks of service, Jeepney remained open for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 to 11 p.m., allowing patrons a final opportunity to savor its distinctive offerings. “The option to close earlier was there,” Ponseca acknowledges, “but I felt it was important to remain open, allowing our loyal customers to enjoy a last meal and providing our dedicated staff with a proper send-off.”
