🚕 Nathan's Famous Considers Sale

Good Morning NY!

This week, we’re diving into some major shake-ups in NYC’s restaurant scene.

From TikTok reviewers stirring controversy with their blunt takes to delays in the city’s outdoor dining program, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.

A popular Brooklyn Thai spot is expanding with a brand-new concept, and a long-lost NYC icon is making a comeback.

Plus, we’ll take a look at how local chefs are rethinking fine dining in a city that never stops evolving.

Let’s get into it!

Edge: See NYC Differently

Experience NYC at the Edge, the city's highest outdoor sky deck. Standing at 100 stories above the Hudson Yards, Edge offers unparalleled 360-degree views of the skyline, from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park.

For you risk-takers out there, you can step onto the glass floor and gaze down at the bustling city streets below. It's an adventure that blends excitement with breathtaking beauty.

Whether you're planning a memorable outing with friends or seeking a unique perspective of the city, Edge provides an unforgettable experience.

Book your tickets now and see New York from a whole new vantage point!

Delays in NYC's Outdoor Dining Permit Approvals

New York City's Dining Out NYC program, set to relaunch on April 1, 2025, is encountering significant challenges in its permit approval process.

As of January 30, approximately 3,000 restaurants had submitted applications for outdoor dining permits. However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved only 40 of these applications.

City Comptroller Brad Lander has expressed concerns about this bottleneck, emphasizing the need for timely approvals to allow restaurant operators to plan their outdoor seating arrangements effectively.

The DOT claims to have reviewed all received applications, noting that about one-third were deemed insufficient and returned to applicants, while the remaining were forwarded to community boards and the comptroller's office.

Despite this, a significant number of applications remain unapproved, leaving many restaurateurs in limbo.

This delay poses a threat to the timely preparation for the spring outdoor dining season, potentially impacting restaurant operations and investments.

In response, Comptroller Lander has called for increased transparency, including weekly updates on permit statuses, to address the slow processing and bureaucratic hurdles.

As the April launch date approaches, the city's ability to streamline this process remains crucial for the success of outdoor dining initiatives.

Raon Introduces Kimchee Pairing Tasting Menu

Chef Soogil Lim, formerly of Daniel and owner of Soogil in the East Village, is set to open Raon on East 59th Street later this month.

Raon will be the first restaurant in the U.S. to offer dedicated Kimchee pairings with its courses.

The $255 tasting menu features ten courses, seven of which are paired with different types of kimchee, showcasing its diverse regional and seasonal variations.

Lim aims to elevate kimchee to the same status as wine in fine dining, highlighting its evolving flavors as it ages.

Dishes include tuna and caviar with baek kimchee, uni gimbap with jang kimchee, and foie-gras mandu with mukeunji.

This innovative approach seeks to treat kimchee with the same respect and attention given to wine pairings, offering diners a unique culinary experience.

Nathan's Famous Explores Potential Sale

Nathan's Famous, the iconic hot dog chain established over a century ago on Coney Island, is reportedly considering a sale.

The company has engaged financial advisors to explore strategic options, including a potential sale, as it navigates the evolving fast-food landscape.

Known for its annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, Nathan's has expanded from its original Brooklyn location to over 200 outlets worldwide.

The brand's potential sale reflects broader industry trends, where legacy food companies are reassessing their positions amid changing consumer preferences and market dynamics.

While no numbers have been thrown out there, the company is currently valued at nearly 400 million, meaning whoever does acquire this company is going to have to put up some serious capital to get this iconic brand.

Ugly Baby Team Launches New Thai Restaurant 'Hungry Thirsty'

In late 2024, Brooklyn's acclaimed Thai restaurant Ugly Baby closed its doors after years of delighting customers with its authentic Northern Thai cuisine.

The closure was attributed to chef Sirichai Sreparplarn stepping down due to the demanding nature of daily operations.

Seizing the opportunity, former staff members Napat Ruangphung, Thanatharn Kulaptip, and Prasert Kanghae took over the space at 407 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens.

They reopened it in January 2025 as Hungry Thirsty, introducing a fresh focus on Southern Thai cuisine.

While retaining the vibrant orange décor reminiscent of its predecessor, Hungry Thirsty offers a new menu featuring dishes like kha moo kaki (stewed pork leg and feet with intestines) and deep-fried chicken skins dusted with Tom Yum powder.

Notably, some favorites from Ugly Baby, such as panang beef curry, remain available.

The restaurant continues the tradition of delivering bold, spicy flavors, ensuring that patrons experience the authentic heat characteristic of Thai street food.

As the New York dining scene evolves, Hungry Thirsty stands as a testament to the resilience and passion of its team, offering a fresh yet familiar culinary journey for both loyal customers and newcomers.

TikTok Reviewers Getting Banned from NYC Restaurants

In the dynamic world of social media food critiques, Maeghan Radice and Audrey Jongens have garnered significant attention through their TikTok account, @TheVIPList.

Known for their candid and often sharp reviews of New York City restaurants, their straightforward approach has resonated with nearly half a million followers.

However, their unfiltered critiques have also led to tensions within the restaurant industry. Some establishments have responded by banning them from reservation services, and they've faced warnings from restaurant owners.

For instance, their critical review of Casa Tua on the Upper East Side, which highlighted issues like overpriced caviar and small portion sizes, amassed over 140,000 views.

Despite the pushback, Radice and Jongens remain unapologetic, emphasizing their commitment to honesty.

They've also received positive feedback from top chefs who appreciate their forthrightness and have invited them for reviews.

While their approach has sparked controversy, it underscores the evolving influence of social media on the dining scene, where audiences increasingly value transparency and candidness.

Thanks

Thanks for reading NYC Bites today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves food and NYC.

Want to advertise in our newsletter? Fill out this form here and we will be in touch shortly!

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign-up to get it.

Have a question or need support? Contact us.