Happy Friday. I’m writing after my first night out in New Orleans — so please excuse any fuzziness around the edges…
This year’s Michelin star winners were announced yesterday and we’re happy to report that Hell’s Kitchen is now home to a new Michelin-rated eatery. Contemporary Korean restaurant Kochi at 652 10th Avenue (corner of W46th Street) is one of only seven new restaurants to earn their first star on this year’s roster. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare at W37th Street (between 10/11th Avenue) held on to its three stars, in a category that hasn’t had any newcomers since 2012. Read more here…
Congratulations to Elizabeth Durand Streisand on the sale of Broadway Roulette to TodayTix Group. You might remember Elizabeth from her column in W42ST about all things Broadway and her pivot during the pandemic from pairing users with surprise Broadway shows for a fair, flat price to organizing zoom mixers.
Unfortunately, Kristen Jongen, who wrote our Sober in the City column, was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer a few weeks ago. She’s undergoing an aggressive course of treatment, which includes chemo/radiation, followed by surgery, then more chemo. It’s going to be expensive, despite the fact that she has insurance. And she’ll also have to take a significant amount of time off work. So her daughter has started a Go Fund Me campaign. Please help if you can.

What we’ve been reading
Pandemic challenges for New York drag queens. (Washington Square News)
Many New York businesses are still “waiting and seeing” on reopening plans. (New York Times)
W58th Street pedestrian death brings a call for action at Time Warner Center. (Patch)
Drama as a car bursts into flames in Hell’s Kitchen. (CBS)
What’s to become of the Hotel Pennsylvania? (Untapped Cities)
Freeze Frame

The park installation at Lincoln Center is coming along nicely. You can check out the lawn from Monday. Thanks to Lincoln Square BID for the picture.