🚕 Bryant Park’s Holiday Market Up in Flames

Good Morning NY and Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a fun time last night, and what better way to kick off the new year than hearing what’s going in our city that (literally) never sleeps?

Today, we’ll explore how two legendary establishments earned global recognition for their culinary contributions.

We’ll also cover some new challenges reshaping the city’s beloved outdoor dining setups, forcing restaurants to adapt.

A unique NYC steakhouse-on-demand concept that will be interesting for all you entrepreneurs out there.

We’ll then wrap up with how Bryant Park faced unexpected chaos with a holiday market fire last week and a new law that cracks down on reservation scalping, AKA bots getting coveted restaurant reservations and then selling them for a profit.

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NYC Now Has Two of the World's Most Legendary Restaurants

TasteAtlas has named two iconic New York City restaurants among the world’s most legendary restaurants.

Katz’s Delicatessen ranked eighth globally, a testament to its historic and cultural significance.

Located on the Lower East Side, Katz’s has been a staple since 1888, known for its Reuben sandwich and pastrami on rye.

The deli has achieved international fame, thanks in part to its appearance in the movie When Harry Met Sally.

Katz’s Social handles: Google Maps: 4.5 | Yelp: 4.2 | Instagram

Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, secured the 15th spot on the list.

Founded in 1887, Peter Luger is celebrated for its dry-aged porterhouse steak and traditional steakhouse atmosphere.

The Michelin-starred restaurant continues to attract locals and tourists seeking a classic NYC dining experience.

These recognitions highlight New York City's enduring influence on the global culinary stage.

Peter Luger Social handles: Google Maps: 4.5 | Yelp: 4.2 | Instagram

NYC's Outdoor Dining Sheds Face New Regulations

Outdoor dining sheds, a hallmark of pandemic-era dining in NYC, are now facing new regulations.

Many establishments, including the Empire Diner, created elaborate setups that became neighborhood attractions.

However, as of November 30, 2024, the city requires most sheds to be removed or modified to meet new guidelines.

The regulations aim to address issues such as pest control, fire hazards, and public space access.

While some residents appreciate the return of parking spaces, others aren’t fans of losing these unique dining spaces.

The sheds became a defining feature of NYC’s response to COVID-19, blending practicality and charm.

Their removal marks the end of a chapter in the city’s dining history, as restaurants adapt to post-pandemic policies.

Queens Woman Sues Arby’s Over Alleged ‘Shrinkflation’

A Queens woman has filed a lawsuit against Arby’s, accusing the chain of deceptive practices.

The suit alleges that Arby’s reduced portion sizes of French fries and drinks while maintaining or increasing prices.

It claims that what was previously labeled as kids’ portions is now marketed as small, with other sizes similarly downgraded.

This practice, commonly known as “shrinkflation,” allows companies to charge more for less without clear notice to customers.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages on behalf of New York customers impacted by these downsized portions.

Arby’s has yet to issue a statement addressing the allegations.

NYC City Workers Launch ‘Porterhouse Party’ Steakhouse on Demand

Two NYC civil servants have turned their passion for food into a thriving side hustle called Porterhouse Party.

Firefighter Peter Annarumma and sanitation worker Joe Fraschilla provide a $100-per-head steakhouse experience on demand.

Their immersive events feature 45-day dry-aged steaks, bone marrow shots, music, and full service from setup to cleanup.

The venture began during the pandemic as a way to alleviate work-related stress and has since expanded.

They now employ 25 people, catering private dinners and events for celebrities and sports teams.

Future plans include hosting public dinner events to bring their unique experience to a wider audience.

Social handles: Google Maps: 4.1 | Yelp: 3.2 | Instagram

Fire Erupts at Bryant Park’s Holiday Market

On December 27, a fire broke out at Bryant Park’s holiday market, damaging several vendor stalls.

The FDNY determined the blaze was caused by cooking oil that ignited at the Seapark seafood kiosk.

Firefighters responded quickly, containing the fire within an hour and preventing further spread.

While no injuries were reported, at least four kiosks were destroyed, and the adjacent ice-skating rink sustained roof damage.

The Bryant Park carousel resumed operations two days later, but several affected kiosks remain closed.

Seapark and other impacted vendors have launched fundraising campaigns to recover from the losses.

This incident highlights safety challenges at temporary holiday markets, as a similar fire at the Herald Square holiday market occurred just two weeks earlier.

Selling Reservation Reservations is Now Illegal

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act into law, targeting the black market for restaurant reservations in New York.

The legislation prohibits third parties from selling or transferring reservations without the explicit consent of the restaurant.

This practice, which often involves selling reservations at highly inflated prices, has long been a concern for both consumers and restaurant owners.

The new law aims to ensure fair access to dining experiences by protecting patrons from predatory practices.

Restaurants have often been unaware of these transactions, leaving them unable to manage their seating efficiently or address overbooking caused by scalping.

Violators of the law may face fines and other penalties, providing a deterrent against this growing issue.

By signing this act, Governor Hochul has taken a significant step in regulating the hospitality industry and preserving the integrity of NYC’s dining scene.

This move has been welcomed by many in the industry as a necessary measure to prevent exploitation and maintain trust between restaurants and their customers.

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