Happy Wednesday. It’s a great day to go and enjoy some outdoor dining in the neighborhood — and it could be your last chance!

Patch reported yesterday about a group of Manhattan residents, including two from Hell’s Kitchen, who are suing to block permanent outdoor dining. Also, Eater says that Mayor de Blasio will tear down any unused dining structures found in the next couple of days.

What are your thoughts? Please take our survey and tell us what you think. We’ll be speaking to local eateries today too and will pull together a report. w42st.info/OpenRestaurantsSurvey


When illustrator Ryan Brondolo and his partner considered moving from Brooklyn to an apartment on W47th Street during the pandemic their decision was made on a bench outside Sullivan Street Bakery. They became friendly with owner Jim Lahey and his wife Maya Joseph — and last night Ryan’s art was hung on the wall of the bakery.

We were part of a small group that gathered for a drink and a slice of pizza (or two) for the opening. There is something very, very special about seeing Jim (one of the world’s dough experts) heading towards you with a hot pizza, offering you a slice while he grabs one himself. Delicious…

We came away with a bit of art. Ryan’s business cards for the evening were sliced from an illustration. Here’s my unique piece. When all the guests get back together we can construct the artwork like a jigsaw.


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Casellula is taking reservations for the first time. Head to their website or Resy to grab a table. casellula.com


What we’ve been reading

Have you noticed a change in the taste of your tap water? (New York Post)

Billions of federal COVID relief dollars are flooding into New York — where are they going? (News 10)

New York gas prices are up $1 on last year — the highest since 2014. (LoHud)

Emergency sirens are a “public health dilemma”. (New York Times)

The color and sound have been augmented, but this video is still a wonderful step back in time to 1930s New York City. (NASS)


Freeze Frame

We’re glad that you start your day with the W42ST newsletter. Most mornings, the first email we look at is Gersh Kuntzman’s Streetsblog NYC newsletter. Once a week, there’s also a great cartoon by Bill Roundy. “Clearly, Bill Roundy is sick of drivers complaining about bike lanes (that they mostly park in or drive over) as the source of all the congestion and aggressive driving around town,” said Gersh.

What’s your favorite morning read (other than W42ST)? Hit reply…