RISING RENTS GIVE RESTAURANTS A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY

As rents in New York City continue to rise, the increasing numbers are presenting a challenge for residents and businesses alike. Restaurants in NYC already tend toward a short shelf life, but the climbing prices are now putting even the city’s best eateries at risk of extinction. 

A case in point, the New York Times-revered Veritas recently closed its doors after 14 years. According to a statement made by Chef Sam Hazen to Eater, the closing was due to ongoing “issues with the landlord.”  Likewise, after 22 years Chef Bobby Flay closed his flagship restaurant, Mesa Grill, citing problems with the building’s property owner. (The closing is bittersweet, however, as just last week Flay opened Gato, his new Mediterranean brasserie on Lafayette Street.) A final example is the longstanding Park Avenue Café, which closed on the first of this year after losing their lease—they’re currently searching for a new location.

I don’t mean to be a buzz kill by discussing these recent restaurant closings that, sadly, are among myriad others. I simply want to shed light on a topic that’s currently impacting our local dining scene. But as with anything else, a silver lining can be found—for every great restaurant that closes, several open, and at least a few of those are bound to be successful and long-lasting!

#bobbyflay  #gatonyc  #eaterny  #tastingnewyork