![]() Indoor dining was reinstated in September but banned again in December before recently reopening in time for Valentine’s Day - with limited capacity that will rise to 50 percent on March 19.īut every week this past year, especially in the first few months of the pandemic, another restaurant closed its doors for good. Whether it was the Queens restaurant specializing in arepas or the city’s fanciest sushi restaurants, the businesses that remained have had to rely on a mix of takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining to stay afloat. To date, more than 1,000 restaurants have shuttered for good, and an even greater number of workers have lost jobs. The shutdown had no timeline, and for many, it was the last nail in the coffin. Restaurant owners said they had to fend for themselves and pointed to the government’s failure to adequately support the hospitality industry. Nobody knew or was quite prepared for what was ahead as the coronavirus spread. Andrew Cuomo mandated the shutdown of indoor dining that day - some would argue it should’ve happened earlier - it was the biggest disruption the restaurant industry had faced since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Sandy. Then, on March 16, 2020, the unimaginable happened. In so many ways, New York’s very essence - its culture, economy, nightlife, politics, and so much more - is so deeply intertwined with the bars and restaurants illuminating the city that we couldn’t fathom their absence. The city’s residents, and its biggest cheerleaders near and far, are as eager to profess their love of dollar slices and (superior) bagels as they are to boast about the Michelin-rated establishments and the rich diversity of cuisines throughout the five boroughs. New York’s restaurants have always been more than talking points or superficial sources of pride. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |