Good morning. Well done, we made it to the weekend! Keep wrapped up and warm as this cold snap doesn’t look like ending anytime soon. The good news is that from today the sun will not set before 5pm until November 6!
A couple who escaped a blaze at their 10th Avenue apartment is appealing for help to find their two cats. Rob Easter and Celia Lawson will not be able to return to their apartment for many months, but are hopeful that they can recover their beloved pets, Spencer and Gideon. More details…
Here’s our rundown on what’s been happening in Hell’s Kitchen this week…
Longtime Hell’s Kitchen bar House of Brews has poured its last pint. It closed last week — another local business victim of the pandemic. We spoke to General Manager and partner Carolina Del Pilar Rivera and Patrick Schmidt from Hell’s Kitchen Hospitality (which also owns Mom’s Kitchen and Dolly Varden) about the closure. More here…
Mark Gordon is a Hell’s Kitchen-based actor and professional drummer. He worked for many years as an Emergency Medical Technician — and was more than surprised when he ended up in hospital with COVID. “About a year ago, I was diagnosed with ‘Reactive Airway Disease’, which is on the spectrum of asthma. I am otherwise extremely healthy, with no other preexisting conditions that would certainly complicate matters into hospitalization. The doctor says I may have just gotten the more severe strain. Or even the milder strain that simply resulted in more serious issues,” he told us. Mark shares his Mt Sinai diary…
Good news to report as the COVID infection rates in New York continue to decline. We pulled these figures earlier today (which show the positivity rate in our zip codes until Tuesday 1/18). Meanwhile, if you want some light relief from the stress of Omicron, here’s the New Yorker’s “Symptoms of the New Variant may Include.”
As Broadway battles Omicron and a slow winter tourism season, there’s a new avenue to support theater’s multi-talented artists — check out The Broadway Makers Marketplace, open now through the end of February at Turnstyle Underground Market in Columbus Circle. Find out more…
With home fitness leader Peloton in a spin, New York gyms are coming back with a personal experience. We chatted to Nathaniel Feliciano at Studio 16 about fitness fads and how “working from home, eating at home and now working out at home is a bit too much to ask of any human long term — especially in NYC.” Read more…
The killing of Michelle Go — pushed into the path of a train at Times Square subway station last weekend — has revived calls to install doors on platforms. “They [The MTA] said five, 10 years ago that they would test these doors out, and none of that has happened.” Read more…
Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, and maybe you’re feeling less than enthused at the prospect of seeing people’s overly performative Instagram posts about how pristine their relationship is. Rather than chuck your phone into the Hudson, channel your rage into a more fulfilling (and philanthropic) opportunity by donating to the Bronx Zoo — who for $15, will let you name one of their Madagascar hissing cockroaches after anyone you’d like (may we suggest the date who never called you again?!).
While we are on the subject of VDay — what ideas have you got? Please share with us and we’ll compile them into a handy list for our readers next week. You’ll also be entered into a sweepstake for a $50 Amy’s Bread Gift Card. Show your love — and enter here…
Dry January notwithstanding, in the midst of a dark, cold pandemic winter New York City is experiencing a drinking renaissance. And here’s some cheering news for drinkers and the hard-hit hospitality industry — on Wednesday, the New York State Liquor Authority approved a request by NATO (the National Association of Theatre Owners, not the military treaty organization) to seek liquor licenses for movie theaters. Details here…
“Staying here during the pandemic made me love New York City even more,” says Pennsylvania-born recording, cabaret and concert artist Travis Moser, who loves Hell’s Kitchen. Here’s Travis’s West Side Story…
We’re glad to see construction is well underway on Pier 97. Hudson River Park Trust is expecting the pier to be completed for Summer 2023. Part of the plan for the pier has always been “to host a historic vessel on its south side.” Our story this week on the purchase of the Staten Island Ferry had a surprising twist, as Vulture reported that Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost and Pete Davidson were the buyers.
They invested alongside The Stand comedy club co-owner Paul Italia. “A rep for the group confirmed that the three plan to rehab the former 5,200-person capacity ferry into a live entertainment space and event venue with comedy, art, and food. They still have to find the boat — named the John F. Kennedy — a waterfront home where it will be docked permanently,” said Vulture. Funny that…
What we’ve been reading
There’s a gap between political announcements and action on subway safety and homelessness. (Gothamist)
New York’s recovery will not happen until 2026, according to Governor. (New York Post)
Pigeon-napping, it’s a thing… and it’s happening on our streets. (I Love the Upper West Side)
When renovation next door causes a pest problem for you. (Brick Underground)
Sundays on W54th Street with Ron. (New York Times)
Freeze Frame
Thanks to Stephane Toullieux for this picture from W42nd Street. “Night, Lights, New York City,” he titled the image on Instagram.
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