Though many people have opted to ditch their masks post-Covid, some still do choose to wear them, particularly on the NYC subway–but that may soon come to an end.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced during a news conference at the state Capitol on Thursday, June 13th, that she’s considering banning face masks in the NYC subway system. The announcement comes shortly after videos and images of masked anti-Israel protesters chanting on a train circulated around social media earlier in the week.
Hochul stated:
We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior. My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes.
Unsplash / Linpaul Rodney
According to the Associated Press, the last time a law was passed to ban face masks in New York was back in the 1800s as a response to rent-related protests. That law was suspended in 2020 by former Governor Andrew Cuomo as a response to the pandemic before masks were eventually made mandatory for subway riders through September 2022.
The exact details of the policy are not yet clear, but Hochul stated she’s in talks with lawmakers on potentially crafting a bill. Hochul did note, however, the bill would contain “common-sense exemptions” for health, cultural, or religious reasons.
Hochul also added that she understands reinstating the ban would be difficult.
“We understand how complex this issue is, and we’re just listening to people and addressing their needs and taking them very seriously,” she stated.
And if there’s one thing you shouldn’t do, it’s get between a New Yorker and their pizza.
While further explaining her decision to pause the congestion pricing program last minute, Governor Hochul stated in a conference on Thursday, June 13th, that the cost of the program would trickle down to consumers, meaning more than just New Yorkers driving cars will have to cough up some extra cash.
“Everything from the cost of a piece of pizza is going to go up because there’ll be charges imposed that’ll be passed onto consumers. This moment in time is not the right time to put that on the backs of New Yorkers,” stated Hochul.
Shutterstock / Cabeca de Marmore
The pizza comment is Hochul’s latest in a string of comments used to justify her decision to pause the congestion pricing program in the first place.
And with NYC already holding the title of “The Priciest Pizza City In The Country”–the cost of a slice has jumped 19% over the last eight years–and a law went into effect this past April requiring pizzerias to knock down their smoky pollutants 75%, effecting the cooking process for many, we’re left wondering when pizza will simply be left out of the equation.
The first official day of summer is still a week away but New Yorkers are urged to prepare for extremely high temperatures starting Tuesday of next week, when a heat dome is expected to settle across the Northeast.
The heat dome—which usually happens when a pocket of extremely hot air is quite literally “trapped” above a region—will bring 90-degrees-plus temperatures to New York City starting Tuesday, capping out at an expected 95 degrees by Thursday, according to the New York Post.
Although things can obviously change, meteorologists expect the temperatures to stay in the 90s all through next weekend as well.
What is perhaps most noteworthy is the fact that New Yorkers will still be very hot when the sun sets: experts are forecasting temperatures in the mid-70s every night next week as well.
The National Weather Service has issued a moderate risk of excessive heat warning through, at least, next Friday, June 21.
Needless to say, we urge New Yorkers to take appropriate measures given the weather forecast: try to stay indoors or head to a cooling center if your home isn’t properly ventilated (you might even qualify for a free air conditioner!). If you must be outside, try to stay in the shade, drink a lot of fluids and avoid working out. Wearing light clothes and taking cool showers may help as well.
We bet you wouldn’t think stepping down into this subterranean West Village space would make you feel like you just stepped off the plane in Sicily, but then again this is NYC, and, well, here we are.
Top Chef winner Harold Dieterle and Alexandra Shapiro, owner of UES tavern Hoexters and Flex Mussels, have teamed up to open an aged seafood-focused Southern Italian spot in a breezy West Village basement reminiscent of 1970s Sicily.
Source / Alex Staniloff
Dubbed Il Totano, aptly translating to “the squid,” coastal Italian vibes are woven throughout the entire space right down to the spiral seashell sconces. Even the walls make you feel like you’re sitting seaside. And the vibes only makes sense as, according to Eater, Dieterle says he was “doing a lot of fishing” during the pandemic.
And from that fishing came dry aging–the focal point of the restaurant. There’s even a dry-aging fridge in the dining room!
Source / Alex Staniloff
The seasonal menu starts out with four different types of crudo–Diver Sea Scallop, Dry Aged Kona Kampachi, Dry Aged Bluefin Tuna, and Coal-Kissed Arctic Char–before moving onto antipasti such as Crispy Baby Calamari Salad and Grilled Royal Red Shrimp.
Larger dishes include Buccatini Con Sarde, Spicy Duck Meatballs & Mint Cavatelli, Roasted San Pietro Fish, and Grilled Dry Aged Branzino.
Source / Alex Staniloff
As for the drinks, their 80s-cartoon-inspired cocktail menu truly is what dreams are made of.
Libations include the Bitter Guiseppi, made with Chaparral liqueur, orange, and grapefruit, the Rainbow Brite, made with New World Gin, Bitter Bianco, Bianco Vermouth, and cucumber, and the Pinky & The Brain, made with Blanco tequila, Aperitivo, red bell pepper, lemon, and Alma Tepec Pasilla.
Source / Alex Staniloff
Il Totano has been transporting guests the salty beaches of Sicily since late May, and if you can’t quite afford the #EuroSummer this is most definitely the next best thing.
As we await for season 2 of HBO’s House of the Dragon to debut this Sunday (June 16), there’s been a full NYC takeover that’s even seen some banners fly across the Big Apple! Whether you’re #TeamGreen or #TeamBlack, there’s plenty of ways for fans to support their side as many NYC businesses are offering collaborative specials leading into the new season. Check out all of the amazing limited-time activations that are happening this week…including food and drink specials and interactive experiences.
1. The Empire State Building
Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)
From now until June 18, the Empire State Building is inviting fans to experience a House of the Dragon takeover…and a chance to choose their alliance. With the World’s Most Famous Building choosing allegiance to Team Green, fans are welcome to come take a photo on the iconic Iron Throne as well as experience Zynga’s “Game of Thrones: Legends” mobile game and transport themselves into the “Game of Thrones” universe. Plus, all 21+ guests will get to try out a House of the Dragon-inspired dragon fruit sorbet with tequila and orange liquor, included in admission. Learn more about the massive ESB takeover and how to book a spot here!
2. Gray’s Papaya
Source / Gray’s Papaya
Pledge your allegiance to the Rightful Queen at Gray’s Papaya, who’s serving up the Dragonstone Dog from now until June 16. The special menu item “topped with a little extra dragon heat” is their classic hotdog topped with a spicy jalapeño crunchy topper.
Where: 2090 Broadway
3. Leon’s Bagels
Source / Leon’s Bagels
Get your House of Dragons-themed bagel fix at Leon’s Bagels, where they’re serving a funky green Bacon, Aegon & Cheese bagel through June 16! It comes served on a green bagel and topped with Zab’s hot sauce for $13. You can also upgrade it to a Green Council Breakfast for $2 more by adding a matcha (iced or hot)
Where: 169 Thompson St Suite B
4. Roberta’s
Source / Roberta’s
Roberta’s is #TeamBlack and from now until June 16, you can try out their A Slice of the Seven Kingdoms, which is a pizza topped with smoked mozzarella, calabrian chili, basil, and tellicherry pepper. It’s happening at both of their locations this week!
Where: 261 Moore St & 6 Grand St, Brooklyn (2 separate locations)
5. Mile End Deli
Source / Mile End Deli
Mile End Deli is offering a trio of special menu items this week, including an All Must Cheese burger which is deemed “a cheeseburger worth raising your banner for.” There’s also some Team Green Fire Poutine, which are hand cut fries topped in cheese curds, smoked chicken, salsa verde, and cilantro. And for dessert, there’s Valyrian Cheesecake…served with some tasty allegiance badges.
Where: 97A Hoyt St, Brooklyn
6. Murray’s Bagels
Source / Murray’s Bagels
For our bagel fans supporting #TeamBlack, stop by Murray’s Bagels and order the Dragonstone’s Delight, a midnight everything bagel with smoked lox, kairn scottish salmon, a achemear of plain creem cheese, beefsteak tomatoes, red onions, and black tobiko “Dragon Egg” caviar. It’s available through June 16.
Where: 500 6th Ave
7. John’s of Bleecker Street
Source / John’s of Bleecker Street
Feast on Vhagar’s Pie at John’s of Bleecker Street, which is a pie of mozzarella, cherry peppers, pepperoni, garlic, and red pepper! It even comes served in a limited-edition House of Dragons-themed box! It’s available on their special menu until June 16.
Where: 278 Bleecker St
8. Ray’s
Source / Ray’s
Lower East Side staple Ray’s is serving a speciality cocktail this week in honor of the Season 2 launch, dubbed the Team Black Targa-Ray-Ta…a twist on Ray’s Marga-Tay-Ta paying homage to House Targaryen. It’s tequila, lime, blackberries and thyme, and it’ll run you $18.
Where: 177 Chrystie St
9. The Flower Shop
Source / The Flower Shop
The Flower Shop is serving up a #TeamGreen cocktail called the Team Green Targarita...consisting of mezcal, cucumbers, fresh lime with fiery jalapenos and a dragon burnt lime wheel. It’s available this week and will cost you $16!
Where: 107 Eldridge St
10. Citi Field / New York Mets
Source / Citi Field
The New York Mets are hosting House of the Dragon Night on Friday, June 14 against the San Diego Padres! Fans can purchase themed ticket packages for the game which include collectibles like a limited-edition t-shirt and access to take a photo on the Iron Throne! Learn more here.
The Union Square Greenmarket is already a sunny-day staple for New Yorkers and now the lively park and public plaza is going to be taking over your evenings, too, with a brand-new night market set to debut this July.
As part of the Union Square Partnership’s annual Summer in the Square series—weekly outdoor programming that includes free movie screenings, fitness classes, CityPickle courts, family-friendly activities and more—Union Square will host its first-ever Night Market during summer evenings beginning in July. The open-air market will run for four Thursdays at the park’s South Plaza, starting July 11 and stretching through August 1. It will be presented by Urbanspace, the same folks who puts on the square’s Holiday Market each year, so you already know that they know what they’re doing.
Though a full food vendor lineup is still to come (watch this space!), the Union Square Night Market by UrbanSpace will feature the tasty wares of 20 independent and local vendors. The nearby UrbanSpace Union Square food hall boasts tasty food options like Playa Bowl smoothies, Bobwhite Counter fried chicken, Summer Salt’s Baja-style tacos, Casa Toscana’s focaccia sandwiches and more, so we’d be surprised if one or more of those don’t pop up in the Night Market lineup.
154 West 13th St., near Seventh Avenue
