A Look Back at the Darkened Restaurants of SoPo

On Thursday, when Downtown Manhattan was still without power in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Eater intern Ashley Mason did a tour of the West Village, East Village, Soho, and Chelsea. Here's a glimpse at what the Downtown dining scene looked like on November 1:

All photos snapped between 2 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 1. Thankfully, most of the restaurants featured below are back to business as usual now that the lights are on.

The original location of The Meatball Shop at 84 Stanton St.

Sad shutter signage.

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Peels at 325 Bowery was open on Thursday with a limited menu. Owner William Tigertt said that employees had been prepping food at Isa, packing it on ice, and finishing it off on the gas stove at Peels since Wednesday morning. The restaurant still baked off its signature biscuits and pastries on site. The bar was fully operational. Here's what Peels was serving: Bacon Cheeseburger $8
Turkey and Cheddar Biscuit Sandwich $5
Salami Smoked Mozzarella and Pesto on Roll $5
Pastries $3
Coffee $2
Breakfast Biscuit $6
Tomato and Fennel $5
Pastries $3
Coffee $2
Hot Spiced Cider $3

Spasso at 551 Hudson St., open with candlelight.

The Wren at 344 Bowery. Dark, but open for drinks on Thursday.

Signage at The Wren.

Sad shutter signage at Gemma at 335 Bowery.

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Mission Chinese Food at 154 Orchard St.

On Thursday, the crew was cleaning up Il Buco Alimentari at 47 Bond St.

Moran's at 146 10th Ave. Open with candles.

Anyway Cafe at 34 East 2nd St. Serving guests in the dark on Thursday.

Russ & Daughters, open by candlelight.

Check Eater's hurricane dining guide to find out which restaurants are open right now.

— All Photos and reporting by Ashley Mason
· All Coverage of Hurricane Sandy [~ENY~]