Lower Manhattan Restaurants Conflicted On Return To Indoor Dining

LOWER MANHATTAN, NY — Restaurants in Lower Manhattan and across New York City will be allowed to reopen for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity Sept. 30. While the move is a step toward restaurants getting back to normalcy, the city's decision to cap restaurants at just a quarter of their usual seating has been met with criticism from restaurant owners.

Few areas are more defined by their eateries than the Lower Manhattan neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, the West and East Village, SoHo, and Little Italy.

Restaurant shutterings in the neighborhoods have become a weekly occurrence as eateries that have been open for decades succumb to the financial devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.

Patch talked to three restaurants in Lower Manhattan preparing to reopen their dining rooms to get an insight into how owners feel about the way New York City is dealing with its eateries.

"It's hopeful, but I don't know if it's helpful," said Roni Mazumdar, the owner of the Indian restaurant Rahi in Greenwich Village, about his restaurant being allowed to reopen for indoor dining. "From a numbers perspective, it doesn't actually move the needle."

"Why are we piecemealing this entire thing, and making the restaurant owners' life so unbearable?" Mazumdar added. "It's a little bit reckless and a little thoughtless. We're like guinea pigs."

The Greenwich Village restaurant owner also pointed to what he said was the lack of structure and time given to prepare for outdoor dining and the return to indoor dining. He also expressed disdain for the city seeming to care more about making sure all restaurants are following regulations instead of actually helping the eateries.

"What I don't get, is that the city should be there to support, instead of breathing down your neck," Mazumdar said.

However, he said that the local neighborhood has been "tremendous" in supporting Rahi throughout the pandemic.

"Really, the neighborhood showed up. It's been there even though a good chunk of the neighborhood was away over the summer — they still came in, and that meant the world to us," Mazumdar said.

Many of Mazumdar's sentiments are shared by Key Kim, the owner of Kosaka, a sushi bar in Greenwich Village.

"It would have been better if we were opening at 50 percent capacity," Kim said. "Opening at 25 percent, many restaurants will still lose money and have been using PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] money to get by for the past few months, which is basically depleted at this point. Other places like Long Island have been at 50 percent capacity with no problem."

Kosaka wasn't able to set up outdoor dining throughout the pandemic, but the Japanese eatery actually sent its chefs to the homes of customers looking for a tasty sushi hit.

"The community has been very supportive of us during this time," Kim said. "We are offering private dining at home, so our guests have been booking these experiences — which has been a real plus for us during the pandemic. This is the only time they are able to have a Michelin-starred chef come to their home and cook for them."

As for what the government can do to help restaurants, Kim wants to see another sort of stimulus package.

"Whether it's from the city, state or federal government, restaurants need help," Kim said. "We need some sort of stimulus package, since most restaurants have used their PPP or taken out additional loans."

Lolo Manso, owner and chef of the Spanish restaurant Socarrat Paella Bar in Nolita, had a slightly more positive spin on the Sept. 30 reopening date.

"We are looking forward to the reopening of indoor dining," Manso said. "It's extremely helpful and very good for our business. It's a good sign that eventually things are slowly going back to normal soon. Twenty-five percent is better than nothing, and it gives us a good feeling that we can start with something."

However, Manso agreed with Kim and Mazumdar that the 25 percent limit could have been higher.

"I feel that the city should've picked a percentage that wasn't too low. Honestly, 40 percent would have made more sense instead of 25 percent capacity," Manso said.

Manso noted what he said is New York City officials' lack of understanding of how to best to help the restaurant industry.

"I would like for the city to not give us so many complicated regulations," Manso said. "They don't understand the restaurant industry as we do. It would make sense if they brought someone in who has that type of experience and understanding of what works and doesn't work for us."

The three Lower Manhattan restaurants are at the following addresses:

• Rahi Greenwich Village: 60 Greenwich Ave.
• Kosaka: 220 W. 13th St.
• Socarrat Paella Bar: 284 Mulberry St.