Food & Dining

January 27, 2021

Super Bowl spreads you can order from your favorite NYC restaurants

Most of us are looking forward to special televised events this year more than ever, and Super Bowl LV is sure to be a welcome distraction from the pandemic. Even if you're not so into football (or you're like us and are toggling back and forth to the Puppy Bowl), the commercials, half-time show, and, most importantly, food make it a fun Sunday night. And when it comes to nosh, it's also a great opportunity to support one of your favorite local restaurants, many of which are offering up special game day packages.
Check out all the spots
January 22, 2021

NYC Restaurant Week returns with 570 local restaurants and to-go options

New York City Restaurant Week is now Restaurant Month. Due to popular demand, NYC Restaurant Week To Go, which launched on Monday, will run through February 28 instead of on Sunday as originally planned. During the month, diners can buy one bargain meal for delivery or takeout for $20.21, which includes an entree and at least one side, from each restaurant. According to NYC & Company, the city's tourism agency behind the program, a record 570 restaurants in over 100 neighborhoods are participating this year.
Find out more
January 21, 2021

Big Gay Ice Cream’s first location in the East Village will not reopen

Big Gay Ice Cream's first brick-and-mortar location has permanently closed, as EV Grieve reported on Thursday. The East Village store at 125 East 7th Street opened its doors in 2011 after operating as an ice cream truck for two years. According to the neighborhood blog, the store has been closed since Gov. Andrew Cuomo's coronavirus pandemic "pause" order in March and now a for-rent sign hangs in the window.
Find out more
January 14, 2021

Queens Night Market will return to Flushing Meadows Corona Park this spring

After canceling its 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Queens Night Market is set to return this spring. John Wang, founder of the popular open-air market, said he plans to kick off the event on April 17 at the New York Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, while keeping an eye on the city's COVID-19 metrics. The food market, open on Saturday nights, will tentatively run through October 30.
Find out more
December 28, 2020

A special outdoor dining pavilion in Harlem supports Black-owned businesses

The stately brick homes lining West 138th and 139th Streets between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Frederick Douglass Boulevards are known as Strivers' Row. The historic Harlem enclave was once home to prominent, wealthy African-American performers, artists, and professionals. More than 100 years later, the neighborhood is once again leading the community with a new outdoor dining and recreation corridor that supports Black-owned businesses. Called the Renaissance Pavilion at Strivers’ Row, the winterized outdoor setup will help local businesses and restaurants serve customers safely through April of next year.
More details here
December 21, 2020

Finnerty’s, popular Bay Area sports bar in the East Village, has permanently closed

Considered New York City's unofficial San Francisco sports bar, Finnerty's announced this morning that it's permanently closing its East Village location. For the past 11 years, the Irish pub on Second Avenue has been a go-to spot for Giants and 49ers fans, even hosting the Giant's World Series trophy three times. "The pandemic, along with being unable to reach an agreement with our landlord, forced our hand. There just wasn’t any way forward for us," said Finnerty's owners Dieter Seelig and Brian Stapleton.
READ MORE
December 15, 2020

NYC shuts down outdoor dining on streets ahead of major snowstorm

Outdoor dining on New York City streets will be suspended Wednesday afternoon ahead of an impending snowstorm, the city's Department of Sanitation announced. The "Snow Alert" issued by the DSNY says "roadway dining" must end by 2 p.m. and be shut down for the duration of the alert. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service predicts between 8 and 14 inches of snow in the city starting late afternoon on Wednesday.
Details here
December 14, 2020

After 90 years, NYC’s legendary 21 Club will close

Midtown Manhattan's historic speakeasy 21 Club plans to close for good next year. The Prohibition-era restaurant on 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, known for its art collection, jockey figurines, and A-list clientele, has been closed since the coronavirus pandemic first hit New York City in March. But as amNY reported, the closure appears to be permanent.
Get the details
December 14, 2020

For the first time, East Harlem’s exclusive Rao’s is offering delivery

Noncelebrity New Yorkers will finally be able to taste the iconic Italian food of Rao's, long considered the city's most exclusive restaurant. As part of a joint program led by culture brand Thrillist and ghost kitchen operations company Zuul, the East Harlem institution will offer delivery of its signature dishes for the first time ever. As part of the program, ten New York City restaurants will lead a two-week chef residency with limited-edition menu items available for takeout and delivery.
Details here
December 11, 2020

Indoor dining in New York City will shut down next week

Indoor dining in New York City will end on Monday as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to climb, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday. Outdoor dining, delivery, and take out can continue. According to the contact tracing data from the governor's office, restaurants and bars account for 1.43 percent of the spread of the virus in the state of New York. Indoor household gatherings making up nearly 74 percent.
Learn more
December 11, 2020

East Village Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is expanding with a pierogi bar

When Veselka first opened on the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 9th Street in 1954, the business was a small candy shop and newspaper stand. Sixty-years later, and the Ukrainian restaurant serves up 21,000 pierogis, 2,500 latkes, and 110 gallons of borscht each week. That is until the pandemic hit. In September, owner Tom Birchard spoke about how the restaurant was struggling. But thanks to a dedicated customer base filling its heated sidewalk seating and indoor tables, as well as a growing delivery and national shipping arm, Veselka is expanding to the space next door, as was first reported by EV Grieve. The addition will be complete with a new "sushi bar-style counter that will showcase the restaurant’s pierogi-making process," according to the New York Times.
READ MORE
December 10, 2020

15 places in NYC to get latkes and takeout for Hanukkah

A lot of families won't be able to get together for Hanukkah this year, but that doesn't mean you can't do a little something special for the Festival of Lights. Many local New York City restaurants, bakeries, and shops are offering amazing holiday meal packages, along with latkes, sufganiyot, chocolate gelt, and more. Ahead, we've rounded up 14 great options, many of which also ship nationally if you want to include your out-of-town family and friends.
The full list here
November 19, 2020

Holiday food gifts from your favorite NYC restaurants and shops

With the pandemic hitting the NYC restaurant industry especially hard, the holidays are a great time to support your favorite local businesses. So many restaurants, bakeries, and food/drink businesses based in New York offer national shipping on their products, which means you can send your loved ones a taste of the city no matter where they are. From virtual cheese classes at Murray's to pierogi samplers from Veselka to Bread's Bakery's famous chocolate babka to sake made right here in Brooklyn, there's a little something for everyone. Ahead, we've rounded up our favorite options for shopping local and spreading some delicious cheer this year.
Check out the full list
November 18, 2020

Indoor dining at City Winery will require $50 on-site COVID test

Entertainment venue and restaurant City Winery will launch next week a coronavirus testing pilot program for guests who want to dine indoors. The Pier 57 establishment, which just opened its new flagship location last month, will require all patrons and staff to take a rapid COVID-19 test before entering on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings only. Those visiting City Winery on those two days will make a reservation via Resy online and make a payment of $50 per person for the test. It's the first restaurant to create a COVID testing program for indoor dining, according to City Winery.
Get the details
November 17, 2020

Krispy Kreme opens on the Upper West Side

Finally, some sweet news. Krispy Kreme on Tuesday opened its latest New York City shop at the corner of Broadway and 96th Street on the Upper West Side. The new doughnut shop comes after the company opened a new store in Harlem and a massive flagship in Times Square this summer, part of a Krispy Kreme expansion in the city.
Delicious details here
November 13, 2020

New food hall Jacx & Co opens at massive Long Island City office complex

As New York City restaurants continue to face an uncertain future, a new food hall in Queens is defying the odds. The Jacx & Co opened on Wednesday at 28-17 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, part of a mega-development from Tishman Speyer. The opening line up of eateries includes a mix of established NYC vendors and some newbies, including Crif Dogs, Beebe's, Taïm, Fieldtrip, Ghaya, Lotus + Cleaver, and Méxology.
Details this way
November 5, 2020

Pearl River Mart opens first food-focused store in Chelsea Market

In some much-needed good news for New York City, popular Pearl River Mart has unveiled its first food-focused store in Chelsea Market. The Asian emporium, which has sold one-of-a-kind Asian-inspired decor and cookware in Manhattan since 1971, last week opened Pearl River Mart Foods, a food market with grocery items and three food stalls. After closing its Chinatown location in 2016, the beloved store returned to the city amid much fanfare with a location in Tribeca, followed by two more locations in Chelsea Market and the Museum of Chinese in America. Pearl River Mart's new food market expands its existing Chelsea market footprint to the lower level.
More this way
November 5, 2020

After 17 years, Caracas Arepa Bar is closing in the East Village

Before the entire East Village was a hub of hip food, the stretch of East 7th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue was somewhat of a pioneer in the new guard of restaurants, and one of the first places to set up here was Caracas Arepa Bar. In 2003, the Venezuelan restaurant was opened by owners Maribel Araujo and Aristides Barrios, who met at another arepa bar in the city of Caracas and often get credit for popularizing arepas in the city. But, sadly, after 17 years, the restaurant is the latest to fall victim to the pandemic and announced on Instagram that the last day for their East Village location will be November 8.
READ MORE
November 4, 2020

Where to order takeout Thanksgiving meals this year in NYC

Let's face it--this year's Thanksgiving is not going to be what we're used to. Many of us won't be able to travel to be with our families or don't feel comfortable dining in a restaurant. But if cooking's not your thing (or you're just too damn exhausted from 2020), there are plenty of local restaurants offering to-go holiday meals. From classic turkey dinners at Bubby's and The Smith to an affordable, family-friendly option from Sarabeth's to something a little more avant-garde like Cote's Korean prime rib meal or Aquavit's Nordic-inspired menu, we've rounded up the best takeout Turkey Day options in NYC.
Hope you're hungry
October 30, 2020

191-year-old Neir’s Tavern stays afloat in Queens with new five-year lease

Historic Neir's Tavern will stay open in Queens for at least another five years. The 191-year-old bar nearly shuttered earlier this year after a rent increase. It then temporarily closed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, Loycent Gordon--the owner of the Woodhaven watering hole--signed a new agreement with the landlords that was brokered by local officials and the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The new five-year lease gives Gordon the option to extend it an additional five years, which would bring the business into its 200th-year.
Get more details
October 29, 2020

Manhattan’s only production brewery is now open in Soho

A massive new brewery and restaurant opened in Soho last week, becoming the only production brewery in Manhattan. Located at 12 Vandam Street, Torch & Crown Brewing Company measures 9,000 square feet over three levels and boasts soaring ceilings, ivy-covered walls, and enough seating for 250 people inside and 180 people in their heated outdoor space. Although the brewery's original May opening date was delayed because of the coronavirus, the team managed to stay afloat by launching a direct beer delivery service in the city.
Details this way
October 29, 2020

The TWA Hotel’s rooftop is now a retro Alpine-themed retreat with a heated ‘pool-cuzzi’

Looking to safely hang with friends outdoors without freezing your bum off? Then you might consider heading out to the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport. For the second year, the hotel is sharing its Eero Saarinen-designed mid-century fabulousness with its guests by transforming its rooftop bar into the Runway Chalet for the rest of the winter season. In addition to a tented and heated Alpine-themed restaurant and bar, the chalet offers the "pool-cuzzi," which is heated up to 95 degrees.
Find out more
October 16, 2020

NYC makes outdoor dining permanent, lifts ban on propane heaters at restaurants

The New York City Council on Thursday voted to make outdoor dining permanent and year-round and lifted the ban on portable propane heaters. The legislation approved by the Council extends the city's current Open Restaurants program, in which more than 10,500 restaurants have enrolled since June, until September 30, 2021, and requires it to be replaced with a permanent program. Under the program, restaurants will also be able to use portable propane heaters, which were previously banned.
Find out more
October 15, 2020

85 NYC restaurants with heaters for outdoor dining

Though indoor dining is permitted at 25-percent capacity in New York City, a lot of people still don't feel 100-percent comfortable with the idea. Luckily, the city made its outdoor dining program permanent and year-round and gave restaurants the go-ahead to install outdoor heat lamps. If you're looking for one of these spots to dine al fresco without shivering, we've begun a running list throughout the city. Know of another spot? Let us know in the comments!
Check out the full list here