Food & Dining

January 3, 2023

Brooklyn icon Sahadi’s recognized by the state as a historic business

Sahadi's, a New York City staple for more than 120 years, has been added to the state's Historic Business Preservation Registry, as first reported by the Brooklyn Paper. The Middle Eastern grocery store and cafe first opened in Lower Manhattan in 1895 before moving to Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue in 1948 where it has been located ever since. The registry, overseen by the Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, recognizes businesses that have operated for at least 50 years and have "contributed to their communities' history."
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December 29, 2022

City Winery’s Gilded Age-inspired restaurant Cornelius opens in Grand Central

Cornelius, a new high-end restaurant by City Winery, opened in Grand Central Terminal last week. The 75-seat restaurant offers patrons farm-to-table fare inspired by Gilded Age menus and created by Chef Zach Bondy. The restaurant joins two other concepts from City Winery, including a signature experience with tasting bars and City Jams, which has a first-of-its-kind wine-to-go program and an all-day menu. 
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December 13, 2022

The Mermaid Inn opens expansive new location in Times Square

The Mermaid Oyster Bar, a new outpost of the beloved Manhattan seafood restaurant family The Mermaid Inn, opened in Times Square on Tuesday. Located at 127 West 43rd Street, the restaurant is the Mermaid's largest location yet, three times larger than any of its other Manhattan branches. Owners Danny Abrams and Cindy Smiths have opened the new location alongside restaurateur Jeffrey Bank, CEO of Alicart Restaurant Group.
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November 16, 2022

New York City’s latest food hall opens in Williamsburg

New York City's growing list of food halls just got longer. The Williamsburg Market, located at 103 North Third Street, officially opened its doors last week. The 15,000-square-foot space features 17 well-known and upcoming vendors and craft cocktails in an industrial loft space. Designed by Ogawa Depardon Architects, the hall boasts a 360-degree bar, a cozy dining room, and kiosks for each vendor.
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November 16, 2022

Starbucks opens three-level Reserve location inside the Empire State Building

Starbucks is opening another of its premium, immersive roasteries within the Empire State Building on Wednesday. Spanning 23,000 square feet across three floors, the new Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store features immersive experiences like hands-on workshops and guided tasting flights, as well as an extensive menu of coffee beverages, craft cocktails, and artisan food only available at the location.
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November 9, 2022

19 spots to watch the 2022 World Cup in NYC

For one month, New York City becomes a full-on soccer town. On November 20, the FIFA World Cup kicks off, with a total of 64 matches held over 28 days. As a city home to people from around the globe, New York is a great place to watch the world's best soccer clubs go head-to-head and represent their home countries. Ahead, find the best bars and restaurants across the city to watch the 2022 World Cup, from The Red Lion in Greenwich Village to Pig Beach BBQ in Astoria.
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November 8, 2022

Where to order Thanksgiving takeout in New York City this year

You can spend more time with friends and family and less time in the kitchen this Thanksgiving by ordering in. There are many New York City restaurants offering Turkey Day meals for takeout and delivery, from a traditional feast with all of the fixings at Bubby's to a Middle Eastern-inspired meal from Edy's Grocer. And don't forget the pie!
Thankful for takeout
October 25, 2022

New food hall Olly Olly Market opening in Chelsea’s landmarked Starrett-Lehigh Building

Chelsea's landmarked Starrett-Lehigh Building is set to welcome a new 17,000-square-foot food hall on Wednesday. Located within the 1931 former freight terminal at 601 West 26th Street, the Olly Olly Market will be run by 16" and Center (16 OC) and host a selection of both Michelin-star and up-and-coming chefs, including Forsyth Fire Escape, Pizza Friendly Pizza, DdoBar by Joomak Bajum, and more. The market will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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October 25, 2022

NYC businesses on car-free ‘Open Streets’ prospered during the pandemic, report says

New York City businesses on streets closed to cars under the Open Streets program reported better sales than those located on streets with car traffic, according to a new study. The city's Department of Transportation on Tuesday released a report that highlights for the first time the positive economic impact of the Open Streets program, which was established at the start of the pandemic as a way for New Yorkers to remain safe and later grew into a lifeline for restaurants and bars. According to the report, Open Streets saw more new businesses open during the pandemic, stronger sales, and a higher number of restaurants and bars stay open than on similar commercial corridors not participating in the program.
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October 19, 2022

José Andrés will open a restaurant lounge at LaGuardia Airport

To continue its transformation from third-world country to state-of-the-art airport, LaGuardia Airport is adding another dining experience sure to be welcomed by foodies. José Andrés will open a restaurant lounge at the Queens airport as part of a partnership with Capital One, Eater New York reported on Wednesday. Since 2016, the airport has been undergoing an $8 billion overhaul, which has included new terminals, improved passenger space, public art, and a slew of new dining options.
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October 17, 2022

Russ & Daughters will open new location at Hudson Yards skyscraper

Iconic New York City culinary institution Russ & Daughters is opening a new outpost in Hudson Yards next year. The 109-year-old mainstay of the Lower East Side will serve its famed Jewish delicacies on the ground floor of 50 Hudson Yards, a Foster + Partners-designed skyscraper that topped out last year. As the New York Post first reported, the new location, opening in the spring of 2023, will take up 4,500 square feet and offer hand-sliced fish, a glass-enclosed bagel bakery, and a caviar and champagne bar.
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October 14, 2022

The top spooky and spirited NYC bars to visit this Halloween

New York City's favorite holiday is back and better than ever, with Halloween traditions and events returning in full force after two years. In addition to the parades, pumpkins, costume contests, and fright fests, many of the city's bars and restaurants transform into spooky dens decked out in eerie decor and serving spirited drinks and ghostly bites. Make the most of Halloween by visiting one of these freakishly festive bars.
Where to sip on spooky spirits
October 6, 2022

Whimsical ‘Wonderland’-inspired art exhibit and bar opens in Midtown

A new interactive art experience is bringing the whimsical world of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to Midtown. Created by artist Alexa Meade, the Wonderland Dreams art installation includes more than 20 playfully hand-painted rooms in Meade's signature 3D style. Meade has painted every inch of the 26,000-square-foot space, from floor to ceiling, creating a multi-dimensional work of art inspired by the Lewis Carroll novel. Taking over the old Best Buy at 529 Fifth Avenue, the limited exhibition opens on Friday, October 7 and runs through April 2023. The accompanying wine bar is expected to open later this month.
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October 6, 2022

This Lower East Side bar was ranked best in the U.S.

On this year's list of the World's 50 Best Bars, announced during a ceremony in Barcelona this week, New York City leads with six bars, more than any other city in the world, including two making the top 10. The Lower East Side's Double Chicken Please ranked sixth in the world, and the best in North America, and was given the highest new entry award. Katana Kitten, which serves Japanese-inspired drinks and fare in the West Village, came ninth.
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October 5, 2022

Court dismisses lawsuit challenging NYC’s outdoor dining program

New York City's outdoor dining program is here to stay after a New York State Supreme Court unanimous decision. The state court on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit that had been stalling the establishment of a permanent outdoor dining program. Roughly eight months after the City Council approved a zoning amendment in a move toward permanent outdoor dining, the city says it will now be able to finalize rules and regulations to ensure the Open Restaurants effectively serves local businesses.
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October 3, 2022

NYC to transform vacant public spaces into rest hubs for food delivery workers

New York City will soon provide a place for food delivery workers to rest, charge devices, and take shelter from the elements. Mayor Eric Adams and Sen. Chuck Schumer on Monday announced a new pilot program that transforms existing and underused structures across the city, like vacant newsstands, into "Street Deliveristas Hubs." The first of its kind in the nation, the program aims to reach the city's 65,000 app-based delivery workers.
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September 30, 2022

MTA partners with Katz’s Deli and Alidoro on new subway-themed sandwich

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has partnered with legendary New York City sandwich shops Katz's Deli and Alidoro to create a limited-edition sandwich in celebration of the subway's 118th anniversary. The sandwich is being sold at four Alidoro locations in Manhattan from September 29 through October 31.
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September 27, 2022

City Winery’s new Grand Central location will offer wine to go as part of reusable bottle program

Picking up a bottle of wine for dinner on the way home from work will soon get easier. City Winery's newest location in Grand Central Terminal, opening on November 1, will debut a reusable bottle program, allowing guests to take wine to go, return the bottle to be washed, and receive a $5 credit toward the next one. Located on the west end of Vanderbilt Hall, the new City Winery includes three dining concepts: a signature experience with tasting bars, a grab-and-go all-day menu at City Jams, and a high-end restaurant, Cornelius.
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September 26, 2022

Popular UWS restaurant Mermaid Inn to close after 15 years

The Mermaid Inn, an Upper West Side gem known for its daily happy hour and affordable oyster deal, is closing its doors on October 16 after 15 years. But longtime patrons will be happy to hear that owners Danny Abrams and Cindy Smith are planning to open a new location on the Upper West Side next year, in addition to a new restaurant in Times Square. “We’re looking at two or three spots to move on the Upper West Side, and we hope to be in one by late spring or early summer,” Abrams told the New York Post.
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September 23, 2022

José Andrés opens romantic rooftop bar at the Ritz-Carlton in Nomad

José Andrés opened a new cocktail bar on the rooftop of The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad last week. Described as a "glittering jewel box," Nubeluz, (the name is a mash-up of the Spanish words "nube" for cloud and "luz" for light), sits 500 feet above Nomad, becoming a part of the skyline while also boasting 270-degree views of it.
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September 21, 2022

A new Japanese market offering a taste of Tokyo opens in Greenpoint

A new Japanese marketplace connecting New Yorkers to the trendiest Tokyo brands opened in Brooklyn last week. Located on Norman Avenue in Greenpoint, 50 Norman is made up of three separate stores, Dashi Okume, Cibone, and House Brooklyn, all making their New York City debut. Japanese architect Jo Nagasaka designed the 3,500-square-foot space to capture the authentic essence of Japan in New York City, with the use of reclaimed wood from a demolished house in Kyoto.
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September 20, 2022

New York’s first Singapore-style hawker center opens in Midtown next week

After nearly five years of planning, the city's first Singaporean hawker center is set to open next week. Created by Urbanspace and KF Seetoh, who is the founder of Makansutra and operator of numerous food courts in Singapore, the Urban Hawker food hall will feature 17 vendors offering a diverse variety of cuisines, including 11 Singapore-based vendors. Located at 135 West 50th Street, the market officially opens to the public on Wednesday, September 28, operating daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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September 15, 2022

See inside the ‘secret’ sushi restaurant now open in Grand Central

Jōji, a new sushi restaurant housed underneath Midtown's One Vanderbilt skyscraper, opened its doors to the public on Wednesday. Located within an alcove in Grand Central Terminal, the restaurant offers sushi lovers an "intimate omakase dining experience," as 6sqft reported last month. Jōji is run by Chef George Ruan, the former sushi chef of Masa, and Chef Daniel Boulud.
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September 6, 2022

15 best places to celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC

After two years of cancellations due to the pandemic, the legendary Oktoberfest returns to Germany. While it may not compare to the massive, two-week celebration in Munich, New York City offers many of the same attractions—beer, traditional food, and live music. Ahead, find 15 spots to celebrate the iconic festival, from a month-long event on Pier 15 to German beer gardens throughout the city.
Full list ahead
September 2, 2022

A food truck with free samples from Jean-Georges’ Tin Building is popping up across NYC

Last month, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's huge culinary marketplace opened for limited previews at the restored Tin Building in South Street Seaport. For those who haven't had a chance to check out the 53,000-square-foot culinary destination yet, a food truck is bringing free samples inspired by the new marketplace to spots across New York City, starting this weekend at Domino Park in Williamsburg.
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