Good morning. I hope you survived Monday — I found it tough getting back into work again. How about you?
It was great to help out with the Hell’s Kitchen Takeout Challenge at the end of 2020. Holly-Anne Devlin and Marisa Redanty did an amazing job of getting over 1,200 entries and 91 businesses nominated. We announce the results today, with the winner dedicating the award to the dad she lost over the holidays from COVID.
I’ve always been a fan of Pixar. Their cartoons were part of the lives of my young children — and their stories appealed to dads too!
Have you watched Soul yet on Disney+? It’s tempting me in more than Hamilton. It’s especially appealing after reading that actor Angela Bassett said that the Big Apple in the film “reminded me of Hell’s Kitchen. All the restaurants, the businesses, the grates, the subway, the grime, and the dirt. The assault, just the sensory overload that New York can be in both an overwhelming way and also a wonderful, ‘I’m alive and I’m here for it’ kind of way. I thought they captured it marvelously.”

What we’ve been reading
Some dining out innovations that we need to hang onto in 2021. (Eater)
The Westerly is nearly done on W37th Street. (New York Yimby)
When will Columbus Circle plaza become accessible again? (Patch)
What’s the timetable for NYC’s grocery store workers to be given the vaccine? (Grub Street)
A look back at old Penn Station’s women-only waiting room. (Ephemeral New York)
Freeze Frame

Remember to recycle your Christmas Tree. DeWitt Clinton Park is a Mulchfest location. More details and locations here…