Happy Friday. How are you feeling about the CDC guidance yesterday that the vaccinated can end their mask wearing? Are you ready to show your smile again?
One of our readers, Jens, pointed out that Hell’s Kitchen might be nearing herd immunity. We’d like to update our March review of who has been vaccinated. Please take the quick survey and share with friends.
The future of two Hell’s Kitchen restaurants — Casa Del Toro and Le Privé — is in doubt after their owner Sanjay Laforest was arrested. The restaurateur was indicted along with his parents and sister and charged with embezzling $17 million from Atlas Acon Electric, a NYC electric contractor where his mother, Sabitri Laforest, worked as a controller. The restaurants were closed on Wednesday, but reopened for service again on Thursday evening. Read our report…
What we’ve been reading
Suck it up… Farewell to plastic straws. (New York Post)
New York hospitality workers brace for a hedonistic summer. (Grub Street)
Open Streets are here to stay – and will be community managed. (amNY)
New Jersey has a plan to get New York congestion fees back for its residents. (Eyewitness News)
Well done to Javits for getting off this list of New York’s glass-building bird killers. (CBS)
Freeze Frame

This has definitely been the week for Pier 84 to shine! We’ve had a seal sighting, lunchtime clouds and now a wonderful sunset. Why did we stay in to watch the New York Mayoral debate while this was going on!? Thanks to Monica for the fabulous picture.