Latest news with #AndrewRigie
Eater
02-06-2025
- Business
- Eater
The Health Department Will Finally Let Restaurants Know When They Will Do Inspections
Anyone who's ever worked in a New York restaurant will tell you the same thing: the waiting game for health department letter grades is hell, because, up until recently, there was no way to know exactly when the city planned to drop by for inspections. You're slammed in service? Surprise, the health department is here anyway. Theoretically, letter grades serve a purpose in New York to tell diners about the cleanliness of an establishment. But the system is convoluted and opaque for diners: there are also very logistical things (say, a sink's location or signage placement) that could factor into a lower grade, and if you don't get an 'A,' you can remain in limbo with your old grade for months before reinspection. All to say, the stakes are high and can make or break a restaurant's financial success. Last month, Mayor Eric Adams' administration announced that the city would now give two email alerts before inspections, one to five months ahead, and three to six weeks ahead with a compliance checklist. Andrew Rigie, the executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, which had been pushing for the initiative, tells Eater the city hasn't yet agreed to give exact dates restaurants can expect inspections, but it's a step forward. The East Village gets sweeter with new candy shop New York candy mini-chain Lil Sweet Treat opened its newest location over the past weekend. The new candy shop is found in the East Village at 150 Second Avenue, between East Ninth and Tenth streets, as of Saturday, May 31. Lil Sweet's known for its wide array of international candies, where customers can pick and choose their treats using scoops and buckets. There's another location coming to Philadelphia on Saturday, June 14. A new dinner series explores Oaxaca The founding director of the Museum of Food and Design, Peter Kim, launched a new organization with a mission of ' connection—across borders and across the table.' The first Infinite Table takes place in Brooklyn this June, centering on Oaxaca. There will be a five-course meal, alongside projection videos and storytelling elements. Infinite Table's partners include Brooklyn Mexican restaurant Sobre Masa, grocery delivery service Farm to People, and agave spirits importing business Las Chingonas (which is providing mezcal). A portion of the ticket sales will go back to these partners. The events will take place on Wednesday, June 12; Thursday, June 13; and Friday, June 14 at between Water and Plymouth streets in Dumbo. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, June 3. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PIX on Politics Daily: Outdoor dining
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Welcome to PIX on Politics Daily with Dan Mannarino, where we break down the day's political news, headlines, and issues that matter most to you through in-depth conversation. Join us daily on PIX11+ streaming at 1 p.m. as we invite the newsmakers, lawmakers, and key players shaping policies that impact local communities. On Thursday, Dan Mannarino was joined by Andrew Rigie, the executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, to discuss mounting criticism surrounding the recent launch of New York City's outdoor dining program. Watch the video player for the full interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Booze for NYC outdoor dining gets green light after fears restaurants would be dry for summer
It's bottoms up after all. New York restaurants with 'conditional approvals' for outdoor dining will be able to get liquor licenses, the city announced Wednesday — ending fears it would be a boozeless al fresco season for most Big Apple eateries. The State Liquor Authority had required restaurants already have an outdoor dining permit before they could even apply for a liquor license — but a massive backlog of al fresco dining applications under a new city policy created chaos this year. Only seven outdoor liquor licenses had been granted out of 3,000 restaurants hoping to offer outdoor dining this year, many of them with conditional approvals for al fresco while the city worked through the backlog 'We are pleased that the State Liquor Authority worked closely with us to also allow businesses that have received conditional approval to serve alcohol while their applications remain under review,' the DOT said in a statement shared with The Post. 'We applaud their decision, which benefits restaurants and all New Yorkers who love outdoor dining.' The NYC Hospitality Alliance, which represents the city's restaurant and nightlife industry, also praised the decision, with executive director Andrew Rigie calling it a 'reasonable process that ensures outdoor dining remains uninterrupted for restaurants, workers, and New Yorkers and visitors.' Since the DOT began reviewing applications in March 2024, it has fully approved just 47 restaurants. The agency has blamed its hundreds of outdoor dining permits in limbo on the city's mew 'cumbersome' and convoluted process for outdoor dining approvals – which include approvals from the DOT, local community board and city comptroller's office. For sidewalk dining, that process also requires a thumbs-up from a local council member. The process became so drawn out that the DOT began doling out the 'conditional' licenses in February. The estimated 600 roadway dining setups and nearly 1,850 sidewalk setups were operational by April 1 'thanks to NYC DOT's efforts to cut red tape by granting conditional approvals,' the agency said last month. More conditional approvals are expected for restaurants in the coming weeks, the DOT added, though it's unclear when full approvals will be issued.
