The announcement comes with a list of restrictions and rules intended to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Restaurants will start at 25% capacity. If the citywide infection rate stays low, restaurants can increase their indoor capacity to 50% on November 1.
But if the infection rate goes back up, restaurants may be forced to shut down again.
Still, the announcement is good news for local restaurants. For months, establishments have been pleading with the mayor and governor to release a plan for a return to operating indoors, particularly since the infection rate has remained below 1% for the past month.
The service and hospitality industry has suffered considerably due to COVID-19, and the push for indoor dining was a push for its continued survival. The pandemic has been especially tough on bars and restaurants, an industry that recently employed more than 315,000 New Yorkers but has been operating at a fraction of its usual business since the city reopened. Thousands of establishments, including some of New York’s most storied diners and watering holes, have shuttered for good or shouldered a huge financial burden since the pandemic started.
—All patrons must get their temperature checked at the door
—At least one member of each party must leave contact information for potential contact tracing if an infected person is linked to the establishment
—Service must end at midnight
—No bar service will be allowed; table service only
—Masks must be worn by diners at all times except when seated
—Tables must be 6 feet apart
—Establishments must adhere to enhanced air filtration, ventilation, and purification standards, though specific details on these standards are not yet available
It’s unclear how many bars and restaurants closed so far, but a New York Times report in August said as many as one-third of small businesses may have been lost for good. Expanded outdoor dining, which was introduced in June, is currently slated to last through October — it has been a hit with patrons, and some hope it will get extended indefinitely. Still, industry leaders have complained, the governor’s restrictions and enforcement have been too severe, causing even more financial problems.
If you’re planning to do some indoor dining, remember to wear your mask when talking to your server and tip generously. It’s going to be a long recovery.
Beloved Japanese dessert shop Bonsai Kakigōri could formerly only be found at the Canal Street Market and pop-ups like Smorgasburg. They recently opened their first solo brick-and-mortar shop on the Lower East Side with their beloved shaved ice desserts and an expanded menu featuring drinks, toasts, and snacks like katsu sandwiches. The place is already a star on Instagram, and the team is getting involved with the local community.
In the spirit of celebrating and giving back to their community, Bonsai Kakigōri will host a pay-what-you-wish community day on Saturday, May 4th to benefit the Lower Eastside Girls Club of NY, a community center that offers programs in the arts, sciences, leadership, entrepreneurship, and wellness for girls in middle and high school. From 11:00am – 10:00pm, guests can enjoy Bonsai Kakigōri’s new menu items to support the local organization.
Photo by Ethan Covey
They are also kicking off their monthly chef collaborations this week. The first one partners with chef Ivan Orkin of Ivan Ramen and debuts on Thursday, May 2nd and will be available all month. Co-owners of Bonsai, Theo Friedman and Gaston Becherano, teamed up with Ivan Orkin and his team to create Ivan’s Quadruple Coffee Crunch Surprise Kakigōri, made with a cold brew, smoked almonds, salted coffee caramel, coffee jelly, and espresso mousse. Stop by on Bonsai Community Day or any other day to try this coffee filled special!
Bonsai Kakigōri 100 Stanton Street at Ludlow Street
Living in Battery Park, whether you like it or not, everyone knows your dogs name. Over the past 16 years I’ve met pretty much everyone with a dog just walking outside of my building on the beautiful scenic Esplanade. About 11 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Key and his beautiful dog. Over the past 10 years a quick hello nod of our head and off we went to continue on our pleasant walk. This past spring, same walk but this time a quick conversation with an invitation to a tasting at his recent venture, Kosaka.
Recently my dear friend and I, had the pleasure of dining at Kosaka, as located at 220 W. 13th Street in the West Village. From the minute you walk into this lovely zen space, with just 10 seats at the neatly-designed sushi bar, you feel like you are being welcomed into not just another Japanese restaurant but rather into one’s home. After a polite Japanese welcome comes upon entry from the small but efficient staff, you are ready to start this two-hour-plus culinary adventure.
Yoshihiko Kousaka, a Michelin star-rated chef for the past 10 years, with accolades to numerous to mention, woos many sushi enthusiasts as Executive Chef at his namesake restaurant Kosaka in the West Village.
A culinary chef, entrepreneur, baker and consultant and long-time friend of Mihyun Han is the GM and the culinary vision behind Kosaka.
Together, Tuesday through Saturday, they showcase their individual talents of fresh fish flown in each day from Japan. Chef Kousaka believes in using the finest and authentic ingredients in his delectable meals. Mihyun’s exceptional management and eye for beauty and perfection make this hidden gem one of the best to come along in quite some time.
Every bite is yet another culinary adventure, freshness I have not had the pleasure of enjoying from many of the Japanese restaurants in and around downtown. This was as close as you can get to Japan, and after more than two hours there, we still wanted more of Chef Kousaka’s delectable creations.
Downtown gives Kosaka a “must try” for this newcomer with deep Japanese roots.
