🚕 Noho’s New Matcha Spot

Good Morning NY!

Have you stopped drinking recently? Well you’re not the only one.

Alcohol sales are down, but restaurants are getting creative with non-alcoholic alternatives.

Also, one of the city’s top chefs just made a major real estate move—without a broker in sight.

A new memoir is exposing the hidden struggles behind fine dining’s polished façade.

NoHo has a new matcha destination, bringing Japanese tradition to the heart of NYC.

And a beloved steakhouse is making a Brooklyn comeback with a sweet, maple-infused twist.

Let’s dive in.

Speakeasy Drinks and Prohibition History Tour

Step into the world of secret speakeasies and hidden history with the Prohibition Pub and History Walk in NYC.

This guided tour takes you back to the 1920s, where you’ll sip craft cocktails in historic bars, uncover the wild stories of Prohibition, and explore the underground world that kept NYC buzzing.

Perfect for history buffs, cocktail lovers, or anyone looking for a unique night out, this tour is your chance to drink like it’s illegal (but don’t worry it’s not).

Book your spot and toast to a night of history, mystery, and damn good drinks! 🥃✨

Restaurants Are Seeing a Shift: Alcohol Sales Down, Non-Alcoholic Options Up

Alcohol sales are declining at U.S. restaurants, and businesses are adapting by expanding their non-alcoholic offerings.

Younger generations are driving this shift, prioritizing health-conscious choices and social experiences that don’t revolve around drinking.

Economic factors, including rising alcohol prices and tariffs, are also making consumers rethink their spending habits.

Restaurants are responding with creative alternatives, such as house-made zero-proof cocktails, thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic pairings, and sophisticated spirit-free options.

The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia introduced a dedicated non-alcoholic menu, and within five months, sales of these beverages doubled.

This trend isn’t just about avoiding alcohol—it’s about offering inclusive, flavorful drinks that enhance the dining experience.

For restaurants, the pivot to non-alcoholic options is proving to be both a smart business move and a way to meet evolving customer demands.

Chef Rich Torrisi Buys $10M Montauk Beach House in All-Cash Deal

Michelin-starred chef Rich Torrisi has added a $10 million Montauk beach house to his real estate portfolio.

The chef, known for NYC hotspots like Carbone and Torrisi, purchased the waterfront home in an off-market, broker-free transaction.

The property spans 1.66 acres and overlooks Fort Pond Bay, offering stunning coastal views.

Built in 2008, the 7,591-square-foot residence features five bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, a gym, and a wine cellar with a tasting room.

A unique touch is the wood-paneled tackle room, decorated with an ocean-themed mural.

Torrisi, co-founder of Major Food Group (MFG), already owns another home in the area.

His restaurant empire continues to grow, with MFG operating over 40 restaurants worldwide.

Beyond dining, the group is now expanding into luxury residential real estate, including a high-end tower in Miami.

With this purchase, Torrisi cements his presence in the Hamptons, blending his culinary success with a taste for prime real estate.

Hannah Selinger’s New Memoir Exposes the Dark Side of Fine Dining

Former sommelier and James Beard Award-nominated writer Hannah Selinger is pulling back the curtain on the restaurant industry in her new memoir, Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly.

The book details her journey from a small-town pub to working at elite NYC restaurants like Momofuku and Jean-Georges.

Along the way, she faced rampant misogyny, workplace mistreatment, and toxic industry norms.

She shares experiences with figures like Dave Chang and Christina Tosi, offering an unfiltered look at the power dynamics within the fine dining world.

Selinger also recounts a disturbing encounter with pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini, a moment that solidified her disillusionment with the industry.

After years of enduring the culture, she ultimately decided to walk away.

With Cellar Rat, Selinger hopes to spark change by exposing the harsh realities behind restaurant glamour.

NYC Scavenger Hunt

Are you looking for a new and different way to discover New York's neighborhoods and their food scene?

Tourist Scavenger Hunt has created self-guided walking tours in 9 neighborhoods.

Each is a loop, ending where it starts, and takes 2-3 hours to complete depending on your walking speed.

Of course, they will point out the major sights and attractions, but they also identify plenty of lesser known tidbits ensuring you never walk more than 5 minutes between 2 points of interest.

At each stop, you'll get a little history, fun facts and a challenge to solve 👀

Book your tour today, no reservation required. Get a 15% discount with coupon code NYCBITES.

Noho’s New Matcha Destination

A new matcha café and retail shop called 12 is opening in Noho, bringing a fresh take on the Japanese tea experience.

Founded by Alan Jiang and Haruhide Morita, 12 partners with the Hotta family, who have been cultivating tea in Japan for 180 years.

The café aims to create a sensory experience, focusing on the interplay of tea, water, and air.

Every detail is considered, from the vibrant green interior to the binchotan charcoal-filtered water used to enhance matcha’s natural flavors.

The menu features matcha lattes, ice cream, and a Basque cheesecake crafted by acclaimed pastry chef Francisco Migoya.

With its emphasis on craftsmanship and quality, 12 is poised to become a go-to spot for both matcha purists and casual drinkers.

M. Wells Steakhouse Returns… in Brooklyn

Queens' beloved M. Wells Steakhouse, which closed in December 2024, is making a comeback with a new home in Brooklyn.

The restaurant will relaunch inside the New York Distilling Company in Bushwick, bringing its signature culinary experience to a fresh setting.

Kicking things off on March 30, M. Wells will host a five-Sunday Sugar Shack series, inspired by co-owner Hugue Dufour’s Québécois roots.

These events will celebrate the Canadian tradition of maple syrup gatherings with family-style feasts.

Expect glazed ribs, baked beans, pâté, cured fish, and plenty of maple-infused desserts.

Beyond the special series, M. Wells will also introduce a regular food program at the distillery.

For longtime fans and new diners alike, this marks an exciting revival of one of NYC’s most unique steakhouses.

Tickets for the Sugar Shack series are available now on M. Wells’ website.

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