Cafe Orlin Has Closed After 36 Years

Bidding adieu to Cafe Orlin

As expected, 36 years in, the East Village’s Cafe Orlin closed on October 15. Its chalkboard sign out front now simply reads, “Thank you.” The restaurant’s owner also owns the building but was reportedly tired of running a restaurant. Another restaurant may open in its place.

‘Blackness in America’ dinner series comes to NYC

Acclaimed New Orleans chef and accomplished writer Tunde Wey is bringing his conversation-starter dinner series to NYC. “Blackness in America” is meant to encourage uncomfortable and important conversations about race and politics and will focus on wealth disparity on Tuesday, October 24. Tickets to the $65, four-course meal are available here.

Inaugural New York Rye Week begins

New York state whiskey makers have banded together to launch New York Rye Week, which is exactly what it sounds like: a week-long celebration of NY-made rye. Nine craft NY distilleries have all created their own version of “Empire Rye,” a new style of whiskey they hope to make as prominent as Tennessee whiskey or Kentucky bourbon. To launch, there’s a week full of events, with the full schedule here.

Prospect Heights, Morningside Heights, and Dumbo are popping off

Three neighborhoods exploding with new restaurants are Prospect Heights, Morningside Heights, and Dumbo, the Post reports. Prospect Heights has been getting independently owned spots like BierWax and Alta Calidad, while Columbia-adjacent Morningside Heights has an influx of fast-casual restaurants and chains such as Sweetgreen, Dig Inn, Junzi Kitchen, and Panda Express. Over in increasingly ritzy Dumbo, it’s sprawling spaces from experienced restaurateurs like Cecconi’s, Celestine, and Sugarcane.

UWS restaurant now accepting bitcoin

A new restaurant on the Upper West Side takes a very eclectic mix of payments: cash, check, Amex, and bitcoin, of all things. La Sirene (416 Amsterdam Avenue) seems to be a quirky addition to the neighborhood, proudly also only using pink Himalayan salt in all its dishes.

Hotel Tortuga will reopen under new management

Affordable and vegetarian-friendly 14th Street Mexican restaurant Hotel Tortuga has been closed the past few days. Turns out it’s under new management and will soon reopen with the same name.

McDonald’s Szechuan sauce fever hits NYC

McDonald’s has revived its legendary Szechuan sauce after the creators of TV show Rick and Morty centered an entire episode to the condiment. It’s since stoked hysteria across the country — including one woman who traded a single packet for a 2004 Volkswagen GTI — and Nom Wah Tu is getting in on the action. The recently relaunched Lower East Side modern dim sum spot will serve its own version of the sauce alongside nuggets and a few other Rick and Morty-inspired dishes, available Tuesday through Friday.

Hamdog inventor decides NYC must have the hamdog

The hamdog — a hybrid sandwich of a hot dog and a hamburger all in one — is looking to star in a NYC restaurant. Creator Mark Murray tells The Verge that he hopes to crowdfund enough money to open a Times Square location for the unusual meal. Donations are being accepted here. For a look at a more regular New York dog, watch below: