Good morning and welcome to the weekend. Did you enjoy the amazing weather yesterday afternoon? Better weather to come on Sunday, but for today expect a showery Saturday.
From Halloween to St Patrick’s Day, New York dogs and their owners have frolicked in costume through Hudson River Park at seasonal gatherings at Pier 84. But the party will have to go on pause (paws?) as the Hudson River Park Trust begins key renovations next month on the pup-friendly space. Read more…

Here’s what else has been happening in Hell’s Kitchen this week.
As New York excitedly geared up for its first full St Patrick’s Day celebrations since 2019, Hell’s Kitchen’s rich Irish heritage was put in the spotlight as Governor Kathy Hochul approved the addition of the 9th Ave Paddy’s Market District to the National Register of Historic Places. The stretch of 9th Avenue from W35th to W40th Street was among 21 locations recently approved by the Governor for addition to the NRHP. Read more…

It was a real joy to meet Omar Joenoes and his business partner Tegus Chandra at Indonesian “coffee shop” Warkop earlier this week. W42ST reader Jasmine Chong helped us to make the discovery of this charming new eatery down the steps in between the original Totto Ramen and Lucky’s Burger on W52nd Street. Read more…

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah is preparing to bring back live studio audiences. They’ll return to a very familiar space — their longtime studio home on 11th Avenue and W52nd Street. Read more…

Along with tomorrow’s Spring Equinox and the glorious sights of sidewalk planter tulips comes a complication — seasonal allergies. Add to that the new joy of wondering whether you have seasonal allergies or COVID-19 and you have a recipe for a very, er, eventful allergy season. Read more…

Rats have always been a part of city life, but lately it seems they are taking over Hell’s Kitchen. 311 data for January and February shows that rat sightings have doubled at the start of this year from the same period in 2021. So what’s with all the rats?

The Livanos family will be spreading more of their Greek sunshine on Hell’s Kitchen from June. They are bringing their restaurant Molyvos from midtown to the base of Manhattan Plaza — taking over the space previously used by Esca. Read more…

Thank you to all the readers who took part in the survey on outdoor dining structures having to be removed from a stretch of 9th Avenue. We also spoke to business owners who are not happy with how the city is dealing with the issue. Read more…

Weekday subway ridership is nearing 60% of pre-pandemic levels and office occupancy is on the rise, but at a gateway to one of the city’s busiest subway stations, it might as well still be 2020. Read more…

What we’ve been reading
Alcohol-related deaths increased 25% at start of the pandemic. (CNN)
New York’s half marathon is back on the streets this Sunday. (Eyewitness News)
Pick a Bagel and Finn’s Bagel make this list — any other recommendations in the neighborhood? (TimeOut)
How an influencer and self-proclaimed scammer left New York behind — and her rent bill (allegedly). (The Real Deal)
The inspiring story of Mandy Gonzalez’s return to Hamilton after breast cancer and pandemic. (New York Daily News)
Freeze Frame

New York came alive yesterday afternoon. The streets were buzzing, layers of clothing had been cast aside and there were daffodils and crocuses in Central Park. Fingers crossed for a smooth comeback for the city.
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