Food & Dining

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

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

Photo of the main venue by Adam Pass

November 18, 2020

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

By Devin Gannon

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

Food & Dining

Krispy Kreme opens on the Upper West Side

Renderings courtesy of Krispy Kreme

November 17, 2020

Krispy Kreme opens on the Upper West Side

By Devin Gannon

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

Food & Dining

November 13, 2020

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

By Devin Gannon

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

Food & Dining

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

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Market

November 5, 2020

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

By Devin Gannon

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

Food & Dining

November 5, 2020

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

By Dana Schulz

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

Where to order takeout Thanksgiving meals this year in NYC

Photo courtesy of Estuary

November 4, 2020

Where to order takeout Thanksgiving meals this year in NYC

By Dana Schulz

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

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

Mayor Bill de Blasio and owner Loycent Gordon at the ceremonial lease signing at Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven, Queens. Thursday, October 29, 2020. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 30, 2020

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

By Devin Gannon

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

Food & Dining

Manhattan’s only production brewery is now open in Soho

All photos courtesy of Torch & Crown Brewing Company

October 29, 2020

Manhattan’s only production brewery is now open in Soho

By Devin Gannon

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

Food & Dining

Courtesy of the TWA Hotel

October 29, 2020

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

By Michelle Cohen

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

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

By Devin Gannon

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

85 NYC restaurants with heaters for outdoor dining

Photo of Bubby’s Tribeca, courtesy of Bubby’s

October 15, 2020

85 NYC restaurants with heaters for outdoor dining

By Dana Schulz

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

City Winery to open flagship venue at Pier 57 this week

Photo of dining room by Adam Pass

October 13, 2020

City Winery to open flagship venue at Pier 57 this week

By Devin Gannon

The massive new flagship of entertainment venue and restaurant City Winery will open this week at Hudson River Park's Pier 57. Starting October 15, the restaurant will accept reservations for limited capacity indoor and outdoor dining, with 200 seats available inside and 70 seats outside. City Winery was forced to move from its longtime Varick Street location last year after the Walt Disney Company purchased the property with plans to open new production space and offices there.
Get the details

Food & Dining

Grand Central’s historic Oyster Bar closes again

Photo by Jazz Guy on Flickr

October 12, 2020

Grand Central’s historic Oyster Bar closes again

By Devin Gannon

Less than two weeks after reopening for the first time in over six months, Grand Central Oyster Bar has temporarily closed again. The Midtown East restaurant resumed indoor service at its iconic dining room on September 30, the day indoor dining was permitted again in New York City. But with indoor dining capped at 25 percent capacity in the city, the Oyster Bar, which normally relies on commuters and tourists, could not do enough business to stay open.
More here

Food & Dining

Chelsea’s 84-year-old Peter McManus Cafe needs your help

Photo of Peter McManus Cafe © James and Karla Murray

October 5, 2020

Chelsea’s 84-year-old Peter McManus Cafe needs your help

By Devin Gannon

Like thousands of small businesses, one of New York City's oldest family-run establishments is struggling to survive because of the coronavirus pandemic. Irish bar Peter McManus Cafe, located at 152 Seventh Avenue in Chelsea, has been serving pints of Guinness and their famous burgers since 1936. While the McManus family, who has continuously owned the bar for four generations, has seen their fair share of challenges in its 84 years, COVID-19 has made it increasingly difficult to stay in business.
More details this way

All photos courtesy of Eataly

October 2, 2020

Eataly NYC’s new honey-themed rooftop restaurant is the bee’s knees

By Devin Gannon

Eataly's seasonal restaurant in the Flatiron District has undergone a transformation once again. Last week, Serra d'Autunno by Birreria debuted at the 14th-floor rooftop with a new concept dedicated to honey, with "buzzworthy" specialty menu items and cocktails. The restaurant has also partnered with New York-based The Honeybee Conservancy to donate 10 percent of net proceeds from every "honey-focused" dish to the group's Sponsor-a-Hive program.
Get the details

Food & Dining

8 spots to celebrate Oktoberfest 2020 in NYC

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels

October 1, 2020

8 spots to celebrate Oktoberfest 2020 in NYC

By Devin Gannon

Although the world's biggest Oktoberfest festival in Munich won't take place this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are still ways to celebrate Bavarian culture locally this month. Biergartens and beer halls across New York City are serving up traditional biers and brats, decking out their spaces with festive decorations, and putting on live music. And while indoor dining can officially resume as of this week, most restaurants also have spacious outdoor patios and gardens, as well as take-out and delivery options.
See the full list

October 1, 2020

Williamsburg’s iconic Kellogg’s Diner is struggling to stay alive

By Dana Schulz

One of the thousands of small businesses struggling to make ends meet in New York City's pandemic world is Williamsburg's Kellogg's Diner, which has been in business since the 1940s. The 24-hour restaurant at the corner of Metropolitan and Union Avenues says it's in danger of closing if the city doesn't increase its indoor dining capacity from 25 to 50 percent. Referring to the fact that restaurants in the rest of the state are able to operate at half capacity, owner Irene Siderakis told Pix 11, "Why is it fair for them and not for us? I don’t understand. I don’t get it."
READ MORE

Food & Dining

64-year-old favorite Pastrami Queen opening second location on the Upper West Side

Photo of the Upper East Side storefront by Tjeerd Wiersma via Flickr cc

September 30, 2020

64-year-old favorite Pastrami Queen opening second location on the Upper West Side

By Dana Schulz

"If I’m away from New York long enough, I need a correct pastrami sandwich from either Pastrami Queen or Katz’s. And you’re not getting that anywhere else, as far as I’m concerned," said Anthony Bourdain in 2016. And New Yorkers will now have two locations from which to enjoy a Pastrami Queen sandwich, as West Side Rag reports that the 64-year-old business will open a second location (the first is on Lexington Avenue and 78th Street) tomorrow on the Upper West Side at the former Fine & Schapiro space at 138 West 72nd Street.
READ MORE

Food & Dining

After almost closing, famous Theater District tourist spot Ellen’s Stardust Diner will reopen tomorrow

Photo (cropped) by Jazzy Guy via Wikimedia Commons

September 30, 2020

After almost closing, famous Theater District tourist spot Ellen’s Stardust Diner will reopen tomorrow

By Dana Schulz

Ellen's Stardust Diner has been a Theater District fixture since 1987, famous for its retro '50s design, subway car entrance, and singing waitstaff. But like so many other restaurants in New York City, Ellen's struggled to reopen due to the pandemic. As Broadway World reported in July, a photo on Facebook showed a notice posted at the diner from the landlord that said Ellen's owed $618,459.22 in back rent. But good news--Time Out NY now reports that the restaurant and landlord seem to have resolved their conflict, and Ellen's will reopen (singing waiters and all!) as of tomorrow.
READ MORE

Food & Dining

Everything you need to know about indoor dining in NYC

Photo by Fábio Alves on Unsplash

September 29, 2020

Everything you need to know about indoor dining in NYC

By Dana Schulz

After being shut down for more than six months, indoor dining in New York City returns tomorrow. The biggest difference is that restaurants can only operate at 25-percent capacity, but there is also a long list from the state of rules and regulations. Plus, Governor Cuomo has instituted a compliance component that will deploy 400 enforcement personnel and allow New Yorkers to fill out online complaint forms. If you're thinking about partaking in indoor dining, we've put together a guide that outlines everything you need to know.
All the info

Bronx Brewery taps inventive empanada food lab as first full-time food partner

Photos courtesy of the Bronx Brewery

September 25, 2020

Bronx Brewery taps inventive empanada food lab as first full-time food partner

By Devin Gannon

Two South Bronx businesses are teaming up to bring New Yorkers a unique new culinary experience. The Bronx Brewery announced a deal last week to make Empanology a full-time food partner at the bar's spacious backyard. The partnership involves some tasty collaborations, including a BBQ sauce that incorporates the brewery's "World Gone Hazy" IPA and other limited-edition menu items.
Find out more

Food & Dining

NYC outdoor dining will be year-round and permanent

St. Marks Place outdoor dining; Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

September 25, 2020

NYC outdoor dining will be year-round and permanent

By Devin Gannon

Outdoor dining will be a permanent, year-round feature for New York City restaurants, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. The city's popular "Open Restaurants" program, which launched in June and allows restaurants to set up outdoor seating on sidewalks, patios, and on some streets closed to cars on weekends, was set to expire on October 31. During his weekly appearance on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show, de Blasio said the program will be "part of the life of the city for years to come." The "Open Streets: Restaurants" program, which has closed roughly 87 streets to traffic for car-free dining on weekends, will also be made permanent, the mayor said.
Get the details

Photo by Charissa Fay

September 22, 2020

101st-floor restaurant at 30 Hudson Yards will reopen for indoor dining next month

By Devin Gannon

The restaurant on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards will reopen for indoor dining on October 6. Peak, which first opened to the public in March and then closed later that month because of the coronavirus pandemic, has again started taking reservations for its massive 10,000-square-foot dining room, which sits one floor above Edge, the 1,100-foot-high outdoor sky deck. The restaurant said it will not take any parties larger than 10 guests and will not accept cash payments.
Get the details

Food & Dining

40 NYC streets will now be open for outdoor dining on weekdays

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim via Flickr cc

September 17, 2020

40 NYC streets will now be open for outdoor dining on weekdays

By Dana Schulz

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim via Flickr cc Just days after he expanded the city's popular Open Streets program to 87 streets and nine pedestrian plazas, Mayor de Blasio announced that 40 of these locations will now be open on weekdays to accommodate outdoor dining. Previously, the car-free streets were only allowed to operate on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. "Restaurants deserve every chance they can get to serve more customers this fall – and, as the weather gets cooler, New Yorkers deserve every chance they can get to enjoy outdoor dining," said Mayor de Blasio.
More info here

Food & Dining

Food & Dining

Pitch a Story

Interested in seeing the property in person?

Interested in seeing the property in person?

Distinctive Post Form

Get in Touch

Send us a Tip

Interesting in learning more about purchasing a new home?

Thinking about selling your home?

Sell a Home (Footer)

Before You Move On from this Page.

Your Passport to NYC:Subscribe for Local Insights and Stories!

Before You Move On
from this Page.

Your Passport to NYC:
Subscribe for Local Insights and Stories!