🚕 AI Revolutionizes Dining in NYC

Good Morning NY!

Today, we’re uncovering some of the latest challenges and triumphs in NYC’s food scene.

Chinatown’s small eateries are grappling with the impact of ongoing tariffs on Chinese imports.

We’ll also explore the prestigious wine lists that are taking center stage at the 2025 Star Wine List awards.

An iconic 1970s restaurant is being resurrected in Dimes Square by a contemporary artist.

Plus, AI technology is making waves in NYC dining, improving both efficiency and customer experience.

Finally, we’re highlighting the top new spots to check out in May, offering everything from tofu delicacies to elevated comfort food.

Chinatown Restaurants Feel the Burn of Trump’s China Tariffs

Small, family-run restaurants in NYC’s Chinatown are struggling to stay afloat as Trump-era tariffs on Chinese imports continue to drive up costs.

Essential staples like rice, soy sauce, spices, and beer have doubled in price, hitting hard at the core of traditional Chinese cooking.

At Phoenix Palace, owner Cory Ng says these rising prices make it harder to keep dishes authentic without losing money.

Passing the cost onto customers could mean alienating regulars, but not doing so risks shrinking profit margins even further.

Many Chinatown eateries now face tough decisions about raising prices or removing dishes entirely as they try to survive.

NYC’s Top Wine Lists Crowned at 2025 Awards

Two standout restaurants—Chambers and Eleven Madison Park—led the winners at the 2025 Star Wine List of the Year New York awards.

Chambers took home three Gold Stars, including the coveted Grand Prix, Best Long List, and Sustainable Wine List.

Eleven Madison Park continued its dominance with wins for Best Austrian Wine List and Best By the Glass List.

This marked the third year in a row Eleven Madison Park has won the By the Glass category.

The ceremony was held on May 5 at Monterey in Midtown, drawing attention from across the city’s wine and dining scene.

Other notable winners included Coqodaq, Chez Fifi, Koloman, and Ardesia Wine Bar.

Lucien Smith Brings Back ‘Food’ in Dimes Square

Artist Lucien Smith is reviving the iconic 1970s Soho restaurant “Food” with a new location in Dimes Square.

The original, founded by artists including Carol Goodden, was known for its communal, creative energy and affordable meals.

Smith’s version aims to capture that same spirit while functioning as a sustainable business.

He’s partnering with Ken Farmer and Laurence Chandler to make the concept financially viable and scalable.

The menu will feature rotating artists as staff and simple dishes like an $8 curry or stew of the day.

There will also be more elevated items, blending playfulness with polish.

Carol Goodden had initial reservations but ultimately gave her blessing to the new project.

Smith, who has stepped back from the art spotlight, sees this as a personal reinvention and a way to reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose.

AI Revolutionizes Dining in NYC

New York City’s dining scene is embracing AI technology in exciting new ways.

Restaurants are using robot waiters, automated phone operators, and online chatbots to streamline operations and enhance customer service.

These technologies allow staff to focus on providing a more personalized in-person dining experience.

AI tools are particularly helpful for tasks like handling reservations and answering calls, which frees up valuable time for the front-of-house team.

This shift is part of a larger trend where technology helps improve both efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Top New Restaurants to Try in NYC – May 2025

Grub Street’s latest list of the best new restaurants in New York City showcases some exciting culinary destinations.

Dubuhaus in Midtown offers a luxurious, tofu-centered menu, including unique dishes like tofu-stuffed mandu and gochujang-braised tofu.

El Camino in the East Village is the perfect spot for a casual date, serving tapas and classic cocktails at affordable prices.

Cafe Zaffri, inside the exclusive Twenty Two hotel in Union Square, presents Levantine cuisine with standout dishes like lamb Wellington.

For something cozy, head to Hakata TonTon in Chinatown for rich pork-based hot pots and hearty meals.

Lastly, Fedora in the West Village has been revitalized under new management, now serving elevated classics in a welcoming atmosphere.

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