Food & Dining

10 iconic streets and spots in NYC open for outdoor dining
July 22, 2020

10 iconic streets and spots in NYC open for outdoor dining

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Since Mayor Bill de Blasio rolled out the open restaurants program last month, allowing eateries to serve diners on sidewalks and in adjacent parking spots, over 9,000 eateries have reopened for outdoor dining. Offering another lifeline to the struggling industry, especially now that indoor dining has been postponed indefinitely, the city has also closed more than 40 blocks to traffic for its weekend-only open streets dining program, overseen by community organizations and neighborhood Business Improvement Districts. With so many al fresco dining options available, we're rounding up the most iconic New York City streets and establishments now open for outdoor dining, from the most photographed block in Brooklyn and New York's oldest bar in Queens to open-air plazas with views of city landmarks.
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Cuomo threatens roll back of outdoor dining in NYC amidst growing crowds

Photo of New Yorkers drinking on St. Mark’s Place in May by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

July 20, 2020

Cuomo threatens roll back of outdoor dining in NYC amidst growing crowds

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After yet another weekend of social gatherings in New York City, Governor Cuomo said in his press conference this morning that the state may have to roll back the opening of bars and restaurants in the city if the local government and police department does not enact stricter enforcement. The governor emphasized the fact that the NYPD's task is not to inform young people about mask compliance but to enforce the law. "That is the only line between anarchy and civilization," he said." This weekend, Steinway Street in Astoria was flooded with people partying, and the Lower East Side once again saw large crowds.
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Outdoor dining in NYC will be extended through October

Open streets dining outside the Beatrice Inn; Photo (cropped) by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

July 17, 2020

Outdoor dining in NYC will be extended through October

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Since NYC entered phase 2 of reopening on June 22, more than 8,600 restaurants have begun participating in the Open Restaurants program, which allows restaurants to set up seating on sidewalks, curb cuts, in adjacent parking spots, and on certain designated open streets. Indoor dining in the city, however, has been postponed indefinitely. So to keep outdoor dining expanding and thriving, Mayor de Blasio announced today that he's extending the program through October 31.
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Sarah Jessica Parker asks Citi Bike to help save 100-year-old Greenwich Village restaurant

Gene’s Restaurant. Map data © 2020 Google

July 17, 2020

Sarah Jessica Parker asks Citi Bike to help save 100-year-old Greenwich Village restaurant

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In an Instagram post on Wednesday, longtime Greenwich Village resident Sarah Jessica Parker posted a heartfelt note to Citi Bike, hoping they can help save one of her favorite local restaurants. Gene's Restaurant has been located on West 11th Street near 6th Avenue for 101 years. But because of a Citi Bike rack right outside their front doors, the Italian restaurant has been unable to set up outdoor dining and is struggling from the pandemic fallout. "I'm happy to help move the @citibike rack just a bit east to make room for some outdoor seating. Whatever it takes," wrote SJP, who is a Citi Bike rider herself.
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Open-air cafe proposed along the East River in historic South Street Seaport

View from John Street Rendering courtesy of Woods Bagot/ NYC Parks

July 15, 2020

Open-air cafe proposed along the East River in historic South Street Seaport

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An open-air waterfront restaurant and bar could be coming to the South Street Seaport Historic District. The Howard Hughes Corporation and the city's Parks Department on Tuesday presented a proposal to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a new concession along the East River Esplanade under the FDR Drive overpass. Designed by Woods Bagot, the "Blockhouse Bar" would be a year-round establishment, with plans to add decking over the pavement, planters, and vinyl coverings during the winter months.
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Smorgasburg returns to Williamsburg next week as takeout-only ‘Smorg To Go’

2018 Smorgasburg; Photo by Scott Lynch

July 14, 2020

Smorgasburg returns to Williamsburg next week as takeout-only ‘Smorg To Go’

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Popular outdoor food market Smorgasburg returns to Williamsburg next week with a new takeout-only model. As Eater New York first reported, "Smorg To Go" will launch on Monday, July 20, with 10 vendors serving fare at 51 North 6th Street at Kent Avenue, a block from the market's typical summer location at Marsha P. Johnson State Park. The new takeout market will operate seven days per week with a rotating list of vendors.
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White Horse Tavern temporarily loses liquor license over social distancing violations

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr 

July 10, 2020

White Horse Tavern temporarily loses liquor license over social distancing violations

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The state's liquor authority this week suspended the liquor license of the White Horse Tavern, charging the 140-year-old West Village bar with more than 30 violations. The New York State Liquor Authority on Wednesday said the business repeatedly violated Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order mandating bars and restaurants to comply with social distancing guidelines. It's the first establishment in New York City to temporarily get its liquor license revoked since the start of the city's open restaurants program last month, Eater New York first reported.
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Bronx Little Italy sets up ‘Piazza di Belmont’ for outdoor dining on Arthur Avenue

All photos courtesy of the Belmont Business Improvement District

July 9, 2020

Bronx Little Italy sets up ‘Piazza di Belmont’ for outdoor dining on Arthur Avenue

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With indoor dining on hold, the city has committed to expanding the already very successful outdoor dining program it launched in late June when phase two began. With more than 7,000 restaurants participating, the program grew this month to include several open streets across the five boroughs, and in the Bronx, the selected street is Arthur Avenue, the heart of Bronx Little Italy. Starting tonight, from Thursdays to Sundays, Arthur Avenue between East 188th Street and Crescent Avenue is transforming into a European-style al fresco dining setup called Piazza di Belmont, with more than 25 restaurants participating.
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An aircraft carrier has been transformed into a floating restaurant in Harlem

Photo courtesy of Baylander Steel Beach

July 9, 2020

An aircraft carrier has been transformed into a floating restaurant in Harlem

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Photo courtesy of Baylander Steel Beach New Yorkers have outdoor dining on their minds these days, but a new spot that opened last week is taking the idea to the next level. Just off the West Harlem Piers at 125th Street, the former Baylander IX-514 aircraft carrier has been transformed into a new restaurant and bar called Baylander Steel Beach. First spotted by I Love the Upper West Side, the one-time U.S. Navy ship now has several levels of outdoor seating, as well as a covered section that will be opened once the city allows indoor dining.
Take a tour of Baylander
190-year-old Neir’s Tavern reopens for outdoor dining in Woodhaven

Photo courtesy of Neir’s Tavern

July 8, 2020

190-year-old Neir’s Tavern reopens for outdoor dining in Woodhaven

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After nearly shutting its doors earlier this year because of a rent increase and then temporarily closing in March because of the coronavirus, it's been a tough few months for Neir's Tavern, a bar in Queens founded more than 190 years ago. But, with support from regulars, the historic establishment in Woodhaven reopened this month for outdoor dining, the New York Post reported.
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NYC’s oldest gay bar launches crowdfunding campaign to stay afloat

Julius’ Bar. Map data © 2020 Google

July 8, 2020

NYC’s oldest gay bar launches crowdfunding campaign to stay afloat

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On the corner of West 10th Street and Waverly Place, Julius' Bar stands as the oldest gay bar in New York City. It's also known for the "Sip-In" that took place here in 1966, which ultimately led to legal LGBT bars and was one of the most significant instances of LGBT activism prior to Stonewall. Julius' was forced to close its doors in mid-March amidst the COVID crisis, and they've since been unable to reopen. Therefore, they've launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $50,000 that will keep them and their employees afloat until indoor dining is permitted.
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Brooklyn’s most photographed block opens for outdoor dining

Courtesy of the Dumbo Improvement District

July 6, 2020

Brooklyn’s most photographed block opens for outdoor dining

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Over the weekend, nearly two dozen streets currently closed to cars opened to outdoor dining, including one of New York City's most photographed blocks. In the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo, outdoor dining was expanded onto several streets, like on Washington Street between Water Street and Front Streets, where the Manhattan Bridge is perfectly framed between buildings. As part of the expanded open restaurants program, the Dumbo restaurants can take over the streets on Friday nights and weekends only.
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Stonewall Inn gets $250K lifeline to avoid COVID-19 closure

Photo by Rhododendrites on Wikimedia

July 1, 2020

Stonewall Inn gets $250K lifeline to avoid COVID-19 closure

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New York City's iconic Stonewall Inn got a much-needed lifeline this week after receiving a $250,000 donation from the Gill Foundation. The Greenwich Village bar, considered the birthplace of the LGBTQ rights movement, has been closed since March because of the coronavirus pandemic and has struggled to keep up with bills, including its $40,000/month rent. But thanks to the donation, and more than $300,000 raised as part of an online fundraiser, the national historic landmark will able to survive a little longer.
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Starting tomorrow, you can get Levain Bakery’s famous cookies in Williamsburg

All photos by Kate Previte

June 30, 2020

Starting tomorrow, you can get Levain Bakery’s famous cookies in Williamsburg

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Tomorrow, Levain Bakery is opening a new location in Williamsburg, the first time New Yorkers will be able to get their hands on one of their six-ounce, deliciously gooey cookies in Brooklyn. Located at 164 North 4th Street, just off bustling Bedford Avenue, it will serve all their cookie varieties, along with bread, brioche, and coffee.
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To-go cocktails will continue in New York for at least another month

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

June 30, 2020

To-go cocktails will continue in New York for at least another month

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Takeout alcoholic beverages will be legal in New York for at least one more month, under an executive order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week. As mandated by the governor and the New York State Liquor Authority in March in response to the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, businesses can continue to sell to-go beer, wine, and liquor until July 26. The relaxed liquor rules, which have been extended every 30 days since instated on March 16, proved popular with restaurants and bars looking for alternative ways to bring in revenue.
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New Jersey delays indoor dining as COVID-19 cases spike in other states

Photo of Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten by cogito ergo imago on Flickr

June 29, 2020

New Jersey delays indoor dining as COVID-19 cases spike in other states

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Restaurants and bars in New Jersey will no longer be able to resume indoor service on Thursday as planned, Gov. Phil Murphy announced. The governor on Monday said the pause of this part of the state's reopening plan comes as coronavirus cases spike across the country and more photos and videos of maskless crowds at establishments have surfaced. "It brings me no joy to do this, but we have no choice," Murphy said during a press briefing.
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See the 5,650+ restaurants open for outdoor dining in NYC

Mayor de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray celebrate the launch of Phase 2 reopening by eating dinner at Melba’s in Harlem; Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 26, 2020

See the 5,650+ restaurants open for outdoor dining in NYC

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Restaurants and bars officially reopened for outdoor dining this week as part of New York City's phase two of reopening. Since Monday, more than 5,650 restaurants have applied, self-certified, and opened their sidewalk, patios, and adjacent parking spots to diners. To make it easier to find which establishments are open for al fresco dining in your neighborhood, the Department of Transportation on Friday released a dashboard and an interactive map that let New Yorkers search for open restaurants by borough and ZIP code.
More here
New York bars violating reopening rules could lose liquor license or be forced to close, under new order

Photo of New Yorkers drinking on St. Mark’s Place in May by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

June 18, 2020

New York bars violating reopening rules could lose liquor license or be forced to close, under new order

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Any New York bar or restaurant found to be in violation of the state's reopening rules could now immediately lose their liquor license or be forced to shut down. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday signed two executive orders that would allow for officials to revoke liquor licenses if state guidelines are not followed. The governor's second executive order holds bars responsible for the area in front of their establishment. The mandates come after Cuomo said he would reverse the reopening of some regions if the state's guidelines were not followed. According to the governor, more than 25,000 complaints about businesses in violation of the reopening plan have been filed statewide since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with a majority of grievances made about restaurants and bars in Manhattan and in the Hamptons.
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NYC reveals outdoor dining plan ahead of Monday’s phase two reopening

Photo by Krisztina Papp on Unsplash

June 18, 2020

NYC reveals outdoor dining plan ahead of Monday’s phase two reopening

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New York City is officially entering phase two of reopening on Monday. The news has led to questioning of the de Blasio administration as to their plan for outdoor dining, with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and others rallying for immediate action yesterday. In his press conference on Thursday, the mayor laid out details of the city's Open Restaurants program that will allow restaurants to set up sidewalk seating and curb lane seating, convert adjacent parking spots into seating, utilize plaza seating through Business Improvement Districts, and, come July, add seating areas on streets currently closed to cars.
More here
New Jersey sues Asbury Park for ignoring state order on indoor dining

Photo Acroterion via Wikimedia Commons

June 12, 2020

New Jersey sues Asbury Park for ignoring state order on indoor dining

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Earlier this week, a beach town in New Jersey said it would allow indoor dining at some businesses next week, defying a recent executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy. The Asbury Park City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to allow bars and restaurants to open their dining rooms at 25 percent capacity starting Monday. Earlier this month, Murphy signed an order that would allow for limited outdoor dining at restaurants starting June 15, but he said "we're not there yet," when it comes to indoor dining. In response, the governor announced today that the state would be suing Asbury to prevent this from happening.
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New York’s first guidelines for indoor dining include 50% capacity

Photo by Mike Von on Unsplash

June 11, 2020

New York’s first guidelines for indoor dining include 50% capacity

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As it currently stands, restaurants in New York are allowed to reopen for outdoor dining in phase two, which will likely occur in early July in the city, and for indoor dining in phase three, which probably won't be any sooner than late July. In his press conference yesterday, Governor Cuomo laid out the first guidelines for indoor dining. Most notably, and expectedly, they include a 50-percent occupancy limit and rules for table spacing and table barriers.
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35+ black-owned restaurants in NYC by borough

Photo by Paul Sableman on Wikimedia

June 10, 2020

35+ black-owned restaurants in NYC by borough

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The Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow in New York City and across the country, with many people looking to get involved, whether it's donating to antiracist organizations or studying the history of the black experience in America. Another direct action New Yorkers can take to support the black community today is shopping at black-owned businesses. Lists and guides have popped up online in the last few weeks to bring attention to these mom and pop shops, with detailed resources from Black-Owned Brooklyn and this spreadsheet created by New Yorker food critic Hannah Goldfield. The app Eat Okra, which launched three years ago, is also a helpful resource that highlights most of the black-owned restaurants in NYC, which according to Eater, includes more than 2,500 restaurants. Ahead, we break down some of the best black-owned restaurants, cafes, and bars in every borough. It is no means a comprehensive list and we encourage our readers to share with us additional places to include.
See the full list
New York restaurants can open for outdoor dining during phase two of reopening

Photo via Flickr cc

June 3, 2020

New York restaurants can open for outdoor dining during phase two of reopening

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With seven of 10 regions across the state now in phase two of the reopening plan, Governor Cuomo announced today that he was adding outdoor dining at restaurants to the list of businesses and operations allowed during this second stage. Restaurants in these regions can begin this tomorrow June 4th, as long as outdoor tables are spaced six feet apart, all staff wear face coverings, and customers also wear face coverings when not seated.
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NYC Council will introduce bill that requires open street space be used for outdoor dining

Photo by almapapi on Pixabay

May 28, 2020

NYC Council will introduce bill that requires open street space be used for outdoor dining

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The New York City Council is set to introduce legislation on Thursday that requires the city to use open space for outdoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants and bars have now been closed for in-person service for over two months because of the state's "pause" order that shuttered all nonessential businesses. And while takeout and delivery options remain available, the restaurant industry has taken a tremendous hit, with many longtime restaurants forced to close permanently.
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McSorley’s reopens in the East Village with famed light or dark ale available by the growler

Photo © James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

May 22, 2020

McSorley’s reopens in the East Village with famed light or dark ale available by the growler

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After a two month break, McSorely's Old Ale House officially reopened on Friday. The East Village watering hole, which claims to be the oldest bar in New York City, announced a new take out menu, including its two ale options, light or dark, served in to-go growlers. The reopening comes after a two-month closure due to the coronavirus, the longest the historic bar has ever been closed, as EV Grieve first reported.
Details here
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