December 18, 2020 | Food & Drink
We all know it’s been a difficult year for businesses and particularly restaurants. It's been a struggle to stay open for service due to the economic shutdown of COVID-19.
New York City was one of the hardest hit in the U.S., and we had to say a sad goodbye to many of our favorite places.
As disappointing as that is, hope is on the horizon as many new places open to become new favorites.
This December is bustling with activity despite restrictions as established restaurants reinvent their menus and new spots pop-up to welcome the winter season and celebrate the holidays.
See also: 8 NYC Restaurants Open For Takeout and Delivery On Christmas Eve and Day
Tasca
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505 Columbus Ave (84th Street) / Website
Don Pedro owners Jay and Norisa Espinal have finally opened Tasca, an Upper West Side Spanish and Latin-Caribbean cuisine gem. Some of their specialties include fideua and paella for two, duck magret with goat cheese and sweet plantains, as well as a large rum selection.
Cutlets
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900 Broadway / Website
Cutlets, a modern deli concept from Richard Zaro, opened its very first brick-and-mortar location on Dec. 4. Celebrating the hometown delis that define the New York Metropolitan landscape, Cutlets curates quality sandwiches with bread from Little Italy and create-your-own salads. Now, for a limited time, the deli is collaborating with Nice Day Chinese Takeout to introduce the General Tso’s Chicken Cutlet sandwich special.
Chip City
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4505 40th St, Sunnyside, NY 11104 / Website
The Chip City empire continues to expand with a Sunnyside location opening Dec. 22. This follows their newest Brooklyn location which opened on Halloween. Chip City will bake holiday cookie flavors for the opening, such as Red Velvet Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle. They will also serve signature seasonal drinks, such as the Gingerbread latte and Peppermint Mocha coffee.
Avena Downtown’s Emporio del Panettone Pop-Up
260 Sixth Avenue / Website
With indoor dining banned, Avena owner Giselle Deiaco turned the space into a Christmas pop-up featuring a variety of luxury panettone brands. Some of the menu items include a Dolce & Gabbana’s panettone, which includes Sicilian Bronte pistachio cream and vegan panettones from Milan. Reservations are required and can be made online.
Noir
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357 W. 16th Street / Website
Once a hot Manhattan nightclub, Noir has been transformed into a brand-new supperclub dining destination. For brunch, they serve dishes such as slow poached eggs with salmon and sushi rice bowls. For dinner, some favorites include a prime Tomahawk Ribeye steak, Asian BBQ pork belly, and Chicken Yakitori with fried rice. Unfortunately, Noir is currently closed due to the indoor dining ban, but it will re-open as soon as indoor dining is allowed.
Loulou & Haven Rooftop
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Loulou: 176 8th Ave, Haven Rooftop: 132 W. 47th Ave
Loulou and Haven Rooftop have reimagined their menus for the winter season. Loulou’s new weekday Price Fixe menu is available from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with choices of burrata appetizers, steak frites and chicken paillard dishes. Haven Rooftop’s new lunch menu is available weekdays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a Tower of Tuna Tartare, truffle fries, burgers and more.
Photography by: Alexander Stein
