🚕 Michelin Dining Without the Waitlist

Good Morning NY!

This week, we’re talking about big changes in NYC’s food scene—both exciting and bittersweet.

Carnegie Deli’s legendary pastrami and corned beef are making their way to Costco, while Brooklyn loses another historic institution with the sudden closure of Ferdinando’s Focacceria after 121 years.

Meanwhile, a vegan Sichuan spot is winning over hardcore carnivores, and an exclusive dining club is making Michelin-level meals more accessible.

Plus, we’ve rounded up the hottest new restaurant and bar openings of the month, from Spanish cocktails to Korean barbecue.

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Carnegie Deli Pastrami and Corned Beef Are Now at Costco

New Yorkers can now bring home a taste of Carnegie Deli without traveling to a deli counter.

Starting in early March, the legendary brand will sell its Pastrami and Corned Beef Combo Pack at 50 Costco locations across the Northeast.

Each pack includes two 12-ounce portions of Carnegie’s famous meats for just under $18.

The rollout will take place in Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.

Carnegie Deli, founded in 1937 near Carnegie Hall, was once one of the most famous Jewish delis in the country.

The flagship location closed in 2016, but the brand has remained alive through its Madison Square Garden outpost and online store.

CEO Sarri Harper assures customers that the Costco packs use the same secret spice blend and traditional recipes that made Carnegie a New York institution.

This expansion brings a true NYC deli experience to more households, making it easier than ever to recreate a classic pastrami or corned beef sandwich at home.

Carnivores Embrace Vegan Delights at Spicy Moon

Two lifelong carnivores just discovered that vegan food can be just as satisfying as the real thing.

Mickey Boardman, a vegetarian for nearly four decades, took his skeptical friends Michael Musto and Lynn Yaeger to Spicy Moon, a vegan Sichuan restaurant in NYC.

Both Musto and Yaeger were hesitant, expecting bland substitutes, but they left genuinely impressed.

They particularly loved the wontons in chile oil, chopped-cheese spring rolls, and dan dan noodles, proving that bold flavors don’t require meat.

Spicy Moon, which opened in 2019, has quickly become a favorite among both vegans and omnivores, thanks to its authentic Sichuan spices and creative dishes.

Owner June Kwan has successfully bridged the gap between plant-based dining and traditional Chinese cuisine, making the restaurant a must-visit.

This experience highlights the growing trend of plant-based restaurants winning over meat lovers, showing that great food is great food—no matter the ingredients.

Michelin-Level Dining Without the Waitlist at Resident NYC

Scoring a reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City can feel impossible.

Resident is changing that by offering exclusive multi-course dinners prepared by chefs from top restaurants like Eleven Madison Park and The French Laundry.

These ticketed events are hosted in luxury private spaces, creating an intimate dinner party atmosphere with curated wine pairings.

Unlike traditional fine dining, Resident gives guests the chance to engage directly with the chefs, who present each dish and share personal insights into their cooking.

Public dinners typically take place on weekends, but most of Resident’s business comes from private events for corporate clients.

Founder Brian Mommsen plans to expand Resident to other cities, tapping into the growing demand for immersive dining experiences.

The concept blends high-end dining with a more relaxed, social setting, offering a unique alternative to the typical restaurant format.

For food lovers looking to skip the months-long reservation wait while still experiencing Michelin-level cuisine, Resident is a game changer.

Ferdinando's Focacceria Closes After 121 Years

Brooklyn has lost one of its oldest and most beloved Italian restaurants.

Ferdinando’s Focacceria, a Sicilian staple in Carroll Gardens, has officially closed its doors after 121 years of serving classic dishes.

The closure was sudden, leaving loyal customers without a final chance to enjoy its famous panelle sandwiches, arancini, and pasta con sarde.

The restaurant first opened in 1904, originally serving Italian American longshoremen working along the Brooklyn waterfront.

Over the decades, it became a cherished neighborhood institution, attracting both locals and celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Martin Scorsese, who even filmed a scene from The Departed there.

Owner Frank Buffa, who has run the restaurant since 1975, cited age and health challenges as the reason behind the closure.

Despite shutting down, Buffa has hinted at a possible revival, as he’s received interest from buyers looking to continue the restaurant’s legacy.

For now, Brooklyn has lost another historic red-sauce institution, marking yet another chapter in the ongoing disappearance of old-school Italian eateries in New York City.

February's Hottest New Restaurant and Bar Openings in NYC

New York City’s dining scene continues to evolve, and February brought some exciting new openings across the city.

From Spanish-inspired cocktails to Korean barbecue and classic soul food, these are the hottest new spots to check out.

• Jeong Yuk Jeom has opened in Rockefeller Center, bringing a two-story Korean dining experience with high-quality steaks, fried chicken, and kimchi pancakes.

• Melba’s has expanded beyond Harlem, now serving its famous fried chicken, mac and cheese, and A$AP Yams from a small stall inside Grand Central Terminal.

• Schmuck has opened in the East Village, bringing a taste of Barcelona’s cocktail scene to NYC with creative drinks and a lively, unpretentious atmosphere.

• Monsieur is a new East Village cocktail bar from the team behind Le Dive and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, blending high-end mixology with vintage French nightlife and classic Hollywood aesthetics.

With these openings, February has been another great month for NYC’s ever-expanding food scene.

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