Cafe Boulud [Official]
More than one year after New York’s first indoor dining shutdown, restaurants and bars continue to close their doors. At least 1,000 have closed since March 2020 due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Among them are newer neighborhood favorites like Uncle Boons and MeMe’s diner, along with decades-old institutions including 21 Club, Fedora, and Frank’s Cocktail Lounge.
In all likelihood, the list of permanent closures will only continue to grow in New York, as rent payments continue to mount and restaurants attempt to weather the upcoming months on takeout, delivery, and limited indoor dining. In September, a survey from the New York State Restaurant Association predicted that as many as two-thirds of the state’s restaurants could permanently close by the end of that year if they did not receive additional government aid. Due to the difficulty of tracking restaurant and bar closings right now, experts say that number could be
Tavern on the Green reopens after a yearlong hiatus
Central Park fixture Tavern on the Green has finally reopened after staying dark for just over a year due to the pandemic. The century-old restaurant, located across from Sheep Meadow and known for its sprawling outdoor patios offering stunning views of the park, is back up and running with reworked lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch menus served in its central restaurant, the main outdoor courtyard, the beer garden, and the south terrace.
The restaurant has been one of the few spots in the city that laid dormant throughout the entire coronavirus crisis in NYC. Now, as the dining destination gets back on its feet, it has equipped itself with a full range of dining options headed into the summer: The landmark restaurant is offering lunch sandwiches, snacks, and alcohol with online ordering through a to-go window; lots of outdoor seating with weekend live music; and indoor dining at 50 percent capacity.