PLEASE SUPPORT W42ST
W42ST runs on limited resources to keep Hell’s Kitchen connected, updated and upbeat. Access is totally free. Please consider supporting what we do so that we can continue our work!
Rustic Table will serve its last “Early Lunch” and “Veggie” on Sunday December 13. The owners of the restaurant on W42nd Street (between 10/11th Avenue) announced the closure on Instagram today, just after Governor Andrew Cuomo said that indoor dining would stop from Monday.
The co-owners, Jordan Hadani and Guy Weizmann said that “after eight months of trying to survive, it is finally time to throw in the towel.”
“Big thank you to the cooks, the porters, the washers, the servers, the baristas, the bartenders and the managers,” they said. “You make this industry what it is. You are New York City. New York City is you.”
Jordan and Guy said: “We wanted to thank you for five beautiful years! We were so proud to serve New York’s community members, actors, executives, tourists, officials and many others. We are immigrants to NYC, we worked very hard and Rustic Table was our American dream come true.”
Their parting shot — “Hey, virus, this is not goodbye… We will be back!”
Neighbors of the farm to table style Mediterranean cafe, which served a menu of prime quality light foods, homemade pastries, fine coffee and wines, reacted to the announcement. Chef Sean Patrick Gallagher, who lives a block away told us: “I’m very sad to see Rustic Table close. It was the place we grabbed coffee on our way to view our apartment which became our home, where I took clients for business meetings, and friends for catch-ups. It’s tiny space is very inviting, and food delicious. I’ll deeply miss it.”
Jacqueline Justine said on Instagram: “OMG! One of my favorite places to eat! The ‘Early Lunch’ with a cappuccino will always be in my memories. Thanks for such a great experience every time.”
“We will miss Rustic Table, especially the feta cheese scones, which Chris used to get every morning at the start of the quarantine,” said Lora Aroyo, who along with her husband, Chris Welty, were regulars. “Before the pandemic we hardly ever managed to go there because of the long line, but during COVID it became one of our go to breakfast places.”
The announcement adds to the growing number of Hell’s Kitchen restaurants and bars going into hibernation or closing. Today Suzy Darling, the owner of the Pocket Bar and Back Pocket Bar, said that she would be closing on Monday too, but planned to return “when there is 50% capacity for indoor seating.”
Ugh. This is very sad. Will miss them!
Did you see Morning Star Diner on the corner of 57th and 9th closed as well. I have a picture of the sign in the window if you want me to send it to you. Just let me know where to email.
So sad. phil@w42st.com