🚕 Iconic NYC Cocktail Bars

Good Morning NY!

This week, we’re exploring the creative, the playful, and the resilient sides of NYC’s food and drink scene.

A celebrated cocktail master from Toronto is shaking things up in Flatiron with an immersive new bar experience.

One of the city’s favorite bakeries is blending pop culture and dessert with a sweet tribute to a Hollywood heartthrob.

We’ll also spotlight the cocktail bars defining NYC’s drinking culture right now — from iconic institutions to modern trendsetters.

And finally, a heartbreaking blow to Long Island’s last duck farm reminds us how fragile our local food system can be.

Let’s dive in.

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Toronto’s Cocktail King Brings His Magic to NYC

Frankie Solarik, the acclaimed mixologist behind Toronto’s legendary BarChef, is bringing his innovative cocktail artistry to New York City this spring.

His new bar, also called BarChef, will open on the edge of Manhattan’s Flatiron District, introducing New Yorkers to his signature style of experiential, boundary-pushing cocktails.

Solarik is known for treating cocktails as a form of sensory art, blending cutting-edge techniques with striking presentations that engage sight, smell, and taste all at once.

The NYC menu will feature 43 cocktails, with a range of creations including both classic-inspired drinks and highly experimental options designed to surprise even the most seasoned cocktail enthusiasts.

Guests can expect drinks served with edible garnishes, aromatic smokes, and elaborate tableside presentations, turning every order into a performance.

BarChef NYC will also feature a tasting menu experience, where Solarik’s team will guide guests through a curated progression of cocktails paired with small bites.

The original BarChef in Toronto gained international fame, and Solarik’s work has been featured on Netflix’s Drink Masters.

BarChef is expected to open its doors in April 2025.

Timothée Chalamet Gets a Sweet Tribute at NYC Bakery

A Manhattan bakery just gave Timothée Chalamet the ultimate honor — his very own lookalike cookie.

Funny Face Bakery, known for its playful, oversized cookies, unveiled a cookie decorated with Chalamet’s face, complete with his signature curls and dreamy expression.

The edible tribute was crafted to celebrate Chalamet’s appearance on Saturday Night Live, adding a pop culture twist to the bakery’s rotating lineup of creative treats.

The cookie is made with a chocolate chip base and topped with a custom edible image, blending the actor’s instantly recognizable features with one of NYC’s favorite desserts.

Funny Face Bakery is no stranger to pop culture collaborations, often releasing limited-edition cookies inspired by trending moments and celebrities.

Fans and passersby flocked to the bakery’s location to snap photos of the cookie, which quickly went viral on social media.

Chalamet himself has yet to comment on the tribute, but it’s already become a hit among his NYC fans.

With playful creations like this, Funny Face Bakery continues to blend food, fun, and fame into the city’s ever-evolving culinary scene.

The Timothée cookie will only be available for a limited time.

Nonna Dora Expands Her Pasta Empire to Tribeca

Nonna Dora, one of NYC’s most beloved pasta makers, has officially opened a second location in Tribeca.

Known for her handmade pastas and decades of culinary expertise, Nonna Dora’s Pasta Bar first became a hit in Kips Bay, drawing pasta lovers from all over the city.

The new Tribeca outpost brings her signature fresh pasta, traditional sauces, and family recipes to a neighborhood with no shortage of Italian competition.

At 86 years old, Nonna Dora — whose real name is Addolorata Marzovilla — still personally oversees the pasta-making process, ensuring every strand of spaghetti and every raviolo meets her exacting standards.

The menu at the Tribeca location highlights her classics, from rich oxtail ragu to delicate ricotta-filled tortelli, all made by hand daily.

The space is larger than the original, with room for a pasta counter where guests can watch the magic happen up close.

With more foot traffic and a growing fanbase, the Tribeca spot aims to become a go-to for both casual dinners and special occasions.

Nonna Dora’s expansion proves that quality handmade pasta — and a touch of grandmotherly love — will always have a place in New York’s dining scene.

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8 Iconic NYC Cocktail Bars to Visit Right Now

New York City’s cocktail scene is legendary, and a new roundup from Food & Wine highlights eight bars that define the city’s drinking culture.

These aren’t just places for a quick drink — they’re institutions known for shaping trends, perfecting recipes, and creating unforgettable experiences.

Among the featured spots is Bemelmans Bar, the Upper East Side classic with live piano music and timeless martinis served under murals by Ludwig Bemelmans.

In the East Village, Death & Co continues to lead the craft cocktail movement with its innovative menu and masterful bartenders.

Katana Kitten blends Japanese precision with NYC’s boldness, serving highballs and creative cocktails that feel both playful and polished.

Attaboy, tucked behind an unmarked door on the Lower East Side, keeps the speakeasy spirit alive with personalized drinks made just for you.

Dante, the Greenwich Village institution, bridges past and present with Negronis and spritzes served in a charming, century-old space.

Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a great night out, these bars deserve a spot on your list.

Bird Flu Hits Long Island’s Last Duck Farm

Crescent Duck Farm, the final remaining duck farm on Long Island, is facing a major crisis after an outbreak of avian flu was detected on its property.

The farm, run by the Corwin family for four generations, has been a key supplier of premium ducks to many top New York City restaurants for decades.

The discovery of the virus led to a state-mandated culling of 100,000 ducks, effectively wiping out Crescent’s entire flock.

Doug Corwin, the farm’s owner, called the loss devastating, both financially and emotionally, for a business his family has nurtured since 1908.

The outbreak highlights the ongoing risks avian flu poses to small farms, especially those supplying specialty products like Crescent’s sought-after Pekin ducks.

Despite the setback, Corwin remains determined to rebuild the farm and hopes to restock with new ducks once it’s safe.

Many chefs and restaurants across NYC have expressed support, recognizing how important Crescent’s ducks are to their menus.

The future of Long Island duck farming may be uncertain, but Crescent’s story underscores the fragility of local food systems and the resilience of family farmers.

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