Food & Dining

The best places in New York City to get challah bread

Photo by Svetlana Barmina on Unsplash

August 30, 2021

The best places in New York City to get challah bread

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If you're planning your Rosh Hashanah meal, you'll definitely need challah bread on the table, and luckily for New Yorkers, there are plenty of places baking the braided bread. When eaten traditionally on Shabbat, the eggy bread is in its standard loaf form, but on the Jewish New Year, challah is often made round to symbolize continuity. Ahead, we've rounded up the best spots in New York City for challah, whether you're celebrating the High Holidays or just want some delicious bread.
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Crown Shy team opens new restaurant SAGA on the 63rd floor of Art Deco landmark 70 Pine

The west terrace. Photo © 6sqft

August 25, 2021

Crown Shy team opens new restaurant SAGA on the 63rd floor of Art Deco landmark 70 Pine

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Most dinners don't begin with a welcome drink on a terrace 63 stories above Manhattan, but that's exactly the case at SAGA, a new fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar from James Kent and Jeff Katz, the Michelin-star team behind Crown Shy. Both restaurants are located in the Art Deco landmark 70 Pine, Crown Shy at ground level and SAGA nearly 800 feet in the sky. The new restaurant opens today and 6sqft got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the beautiful spaces and three outdoor terraces.
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The Grand Central Oyster Bar will reopen after 17-month closure

Photo by Jazz Guy on Flickr

August 24, 2021

The Grand Central Oyster Bar will reopen after 17-month closure

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The subterranean, century-old oyster bar in Grand Central Terminal will finally reopen next month after nearly a year and a half. The historic Grand Central Oyster Bar announced it will open its doors on September 7 at 100 percent capacity, as Gothamist first reported. After a temporary Covid-related closure last March, the Midtown East restaurant and bar resumed indoor dining that September, only to close again less than two weeks later.
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Manhattan’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition is now open

The distillery’s atrium; Photos courtesy of Great Jones Distilling Co.

August 23, 2021

Manhattan’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition is now open

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Manhattan's first legal whiskey distillery in over 100 years is now open. Great Jones Distilling Company officially opened on Saturday at a stunning four-level space at 686 Broadway in Noho, overcoming city regulations and construction issues to build the first legitimate whiskey distillery in the city since the Prohibition era. At the space, visitors can enjoy tours and tastings, as well as an underground speakeasy, a private event space, and a restaurant helmed by Chef Adam Raksin, all set to open in the coming weeks.
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All the places in NYC requiring proof of vaccination

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

August 16, 2021

All the places in NYC requiring proof of vaccination

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Starting Tuesday, New Yorkers aged 12 and older must be vaccinated against the coronavirus to partake in indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment. The Key to NYC initiative, which applies to bars, fitness centers, movie theaters, museums, and other indoor venues, requires visitors to show proof of at least one dose of the vaccine. The policy will go into effect on August 17 with enforcement beginning the week of September 13.
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Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

Maiden Korea, 316 5th Avenue; Courtesy of Alfresco NYC

August 9, 2021

Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

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Over 11,500 restaurants across New York City currently participate in the city's outdoor dining program, which launched last summer to help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, seven of them were recognized for being the best examples of outdoor dining setups across the boroughs as part of the first-ever Alfresco Awards. The program, created by a group of local nonprofits, also acknowledged the city's best Open Streets, an initiative that closes streets to cars for pedestrian use.
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First-ever Oreo cookie cafe opens at NJ’s American Dream mall

Photo courtesy of OREO

August 9, 2021

First-ever Oreo cookie cafe opens at NJ’s American Dream mall

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A sweets shop at New Jersey's American Dream mall just got even sweeter. The first-ever Oreo cafe opened last week on the top floor of the candy department store IT'SUGAR, a candy and gift shop that measures 22,000 square feet across three levels. The store features a menu of Oreo-inspired desserts, including do-it-your-self customizable treats, and limited-edition cookie merchandise.
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The best international grocery stores in NYC
August 6, 2021

The best international grocery stores in NYC

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Not only can you eat nearly every type of cuisine in New York City, but you can also cook it. Thanks to the many specialty grocery stores across the five boroughs, no fare is off the table. Whether you hit popular stores like Kalustyan's selling Middle Eastern and Indian spices in Murray Hill or check out the more obscure shops, like Sri Lankan-supermarket Lanka Grocery on Staten Island, there are endless options when planning an international menu.
Get cooking
Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group will require proof of vaccination at all restaurants

Photo of Gramercy Tavern by london road via Flickr cc

July 29, 2021

Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group will require proof of vaccination at all restaurants

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Union Square Hospitality Group CEO Danny Meyer announced that he will require proof of vaccination from staff and dine-in customers at all of his NYC and Washington D.C. full-service restaurants, which include Union Square Cafe, Blue Smoke, and Gramercy Tavern. "I’m not a scientist, but I know how to read data, and what I see is that this is a crisis of people who have not been vaccinated, and I feel strong responsibility, on our part as business leaders, to take care of our team and our guests, and that’s what we’re doing," said Meyer in an interview this morning on CNBC’s "Squawk Box."
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18 coolest ice cream shops in New York City
July 16, 2021

18 coolest ice cream shops in New York City

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Summer is here! Whether you're soaking up the sun at a local beach, taking a dip in the city's pools, or staying inside with air conditioning on full blast, you deserve ice cream. With so many great places in the city, it's almost impossible to actually pick one. But we're here to help. Ahead, find some of our favorite scoop shops in New York City, from the iconic (The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Big Gay Ice Cream) to the inventive (Malai, La Newyorkina).
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Outdoor beer garden Smorgasbar is now open on the Jersey City waterfront

Photo courtesy of Smorgasburg

July 15, 2021

Outdoor beer garden Smorgasbar is now open on the Jersey City waterfront

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A massive new beer garden is now open along the Jersey City waterfront. Earlier this summer, open-air market Smorgasburg opened its first-ever New Jersey location at the Harborside campus. This month, the founders of the popular food market opened "Smorgasbar," a 300-seat outdoor venue with incredible Hudson River and Manhattan skyline views.
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NYC Restaurant Week returns with indoor dining, 530 restaurants, and five weeks of specials

Image via NYC & Company

July 12, 2021

NYC Restaurant Week returns with indoor dining, 530 restaurants, and five weeks of specials

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Since 1992, New York City Restaurant Week has given New Yorkers the chance to dine at their dream restaurants with discounted, pre-fixe menus. The event usually happens once in the summer and once in the winter, but in 2020, it only returned in January, reborn as NYC Restaurant Week To Go, which offered the deal for takeout, delivery, or outdoor dining only. Now it's back for indoor dining, too, and is extending the fun for five weeks, with nearly 530 restaurants participating. From July 19 through August 22, enjoy $21 or $39 lunches or dinners, as well as $125 signature meals at select restaurants.
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Iconic frozen hot chocolate spot Serendipity3 reopens this week with new fantasy-filled interiors

Photo courtesy of Serendipity3

July 7, 2021

Iconic frozen hot chocolate spot Serendipity3 reopens this week with new fantasy-filled interiors

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Iconic Upper East Side restaurant and general store Serendipity3 opened its doors in 1954, attracting the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, and even Jackie O, who is said to have tried to get the recipe for the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It was also famously featured in the movie Serendipity, along with One Fine Day and Trust The Man. The decadent dessert spot at 225 East 60th Street has been closed for the past year, but this Friday, July 9, it will reopen to the public after a renovation that created a fantastical, pastel dreamscape, complete with hanging antique Tiffany lamps and a funky neon Pegasus.
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Dating app Bumble is opening a restaurant in Nolita for in-person meet-ups

All images courtesy of FLOAT Design Studio

July 6, 2021

Dating app Bumble is opening a restaurant in Nolita for in-person meet-ups

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Dating app Bumble is opening its own restaurant in Nolita this month, helping New York City singles shift to in-person meet-ups after months of direct messaging and video chats. Bumble Brew, originally scheduled to launch in 2019, will open its doors at 98 Kenmare Street on July 24. The all-day cafe and wine bar won't just be for a romantic rendezvous, but also as a way to make new friends or potential business connections after more than a year apart.
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The Bungalow is a new Montauk-style hangout on the Lower Manhattan waterfront

Rendering by TMRW, courtesy of Brookfield Place New York

June 30, 2021

The Bungalow is a new Montauk-style hangout on the Lower Manhattan waterfront

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This Friday, the waterfront Upper Plaza at Brookfield Place will be transformed into The Bungalow, a "relaxing urban oasis inspired by the beachside retreats of Montauk." Guests can take in views of the Hudson River and New York Harbor while enjoying specialty cocktails and small bites. They'll also be able to enjoy live music and DJs, bocce courts, and weekly events and arts programming. The best part? It's free to enter.
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New York City ends to-go and delivery cocktails for restaurants

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

June 24, 2021

New York City ends to-go and delivery cocktails for restaurants

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Governor Cuomo announced that as of today, the Covid-19 State of Emergency he put in place for New York on March 7, 2020, would end, given the success in vaccinations and declining hospitalization and positivity rates. This comes after the governor lifted almost all Covid-related restrictions last week. So although restaurants can now operate as they did pre-pandemic, they will also have to go back to not being allowed to offer to-go or delivery alcoholic beverages. The State Liquor Authority, who authorized the temporary pandemic-related privileges under the State of Emergency, made the announcement yesterday.
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See inside Manhattanville Market, the new food hall at Columbia’s West Harlem campus

All photos courtesy of F. Becker Hospitality

June 23, 2021

See inside Manhattanville Market, the new food hall at Columbia’s West Harlem campus

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It's been nearly three years since Columbia University was joined by architect Renzo PIano as he unveiled his third and final building at the school's Manhattanville campus. And now, Piano's Jerome L. Greene Science Center will welcome a new ground-floor tenant that's sure to be popular among both students and local residents. Opening Friday, Manhattanville Market is a new food hall from chef Franklin Becker of fast-casual chain the Little Beet.
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Lower East Side bialy bakery Kossar’s will open a second location in Hudson Yards

Photo credit: Kossar’s Bagels & Bialys

June 10, 2021

Lower East Side bialy bakery Kossar’s will open a second location in Hudson Yards

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Since 1936, Kossar's Bagels & Bialys has served Jewish specialty foods on the Lower East Side. For the first time, the iconic shop, considered the oldest bialy bakery in the United States, will open a second location in New York City. The bakery has signed a 1,200-square-foot lease on the ground floor of Ohm, a mixed-income rental building at 312 11th Avenue in Hudson Yards developed by Douglaston Development.
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Dine al fresco at the historic Broad Exchange Building’s massive penthouse balcony

Photo of a past dinner by Lizzie Munro @lizziemunro

June 8, 2021

Dine al fresco at the historic Broad Exchange Building’s massive penthouse balcony

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When outdoor dining took on a new life last summer, many restaurant and hospitality companies had to get creative. But Resident, a startup that hosts dinners on balconies and rooftops of luxury apartments, was already ahead of the game. This past fall, they launched a socially distant supper club on the balcony of the Financial District's landmarked Broad Exchange Building, including a rotating chef residency with newcomers who have experience at Michelin-starred restaurants. The supper club is now back, featuring a Venezuelan-inspired tasting menu from Chef Luis Herrera, redefined soul food from Chef Sakari Smithwick, a Filipino-inspired meal from Chef Harold Villarosa, and much more.
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Daniel Boulud’s Le Pavillon opens at One Vanderbilt with lush greenery and city views

All photos courtesy of SL Green Realty

May 19, 2021

Daniel Boulud’s Le Pavillon opens at One Vanderbilt with lush greenery and city views

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Chef Daniel Boulud this week officially opened Le Pavillon, a new restaurant in the Midtown office tower One Vanderbilt. Located directly across from Grand Central with views of the Chrysler Building, Le Pavillon boasts soaring, 57-foot ceilings and a nature-inspired design by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld that includes lots of greenery and natural elements.
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Jing Fong will stay in Chinatown with new downsized location

Photo by josh s jackson via Flickr cc

May 14, 2021

Jing Fong will stay in Chinatown with new downsized location

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New York City's largest Chinese restaurant is downsizing. This Sunday, Jing Fong, will close its Elizabeth Street location, the 20,000-square-foot restaurant known for its 800-person dining room and as a hot spot for dim sum. Thankfully, the iconic spot will be staying in Chinatown, as Eater NY reported, with a new 125-seat restaurant opening in July.
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Popular Italian restaurant Rosemary’s has a new location in Stuyvesant Town
May 4, 2021

Popular Italian restaurant Rosemary’s has a new location in Stuyvesant Town

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The West Village's popular Italian restaurant Rosemary's opened a second NYC location in Stuyvesant Town today. Rosemary's opened on Greenwich Avenue in 2012 and quickly became a neighborhood favorite due in part to its rooftop garden that provides produce for the menu. The huge new outpost, at 350 First Avenue at East 20th Street, will have a 120- seat dining room, 50-person wine bar, 30-seat private dining room, and a 100-seat sidewalk cafe overlooking a planned community garden.
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A new digital cookbook is supporting Chinatown businesses impacted by Covid-19

886’s Taiwanese Fried Rice (left); Wing Hin’s Shrimp Fried Rice (right). Courtesy of Send Chinatown Love + Umamicart.

May 3, 2021

A new digital cookbook is supporting Chinatown businesses impacted by Covid-19

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Wing Hing Seafood Restaurant, 46 Mott St., Grand Tea & Imports, 886--these are just a few of the restaurants featured in the new digital cookbook Around the Roundtable: Recipes for Chinatown Favorites that was created to support Chinatown businesses. The free, downloadable cookbook comes from Send Chinatown Love, an entirely volunteer-run organization whose goal is to provide relief to small, immigrant-owned Chinatown businesses impacted by the effects of Covid-19.
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