🚕 August Brings Bittersweet Closures Across NYC Dining Scene

Good Morning NY!

Get ready to spray, tag, and create your own mural with Brooklyn’s top graffiti artists.

The iconic Wythe Diner is moving to Steiner Studios, trading Williamsburg for the silver screen.

August brought tough goodbyes to NYC favorites—from Tacuba to Franklin Corner Café and more.

Manhattan’s restaurant scene is roaring back with fresh openings and a revival of old-school charm.

A local spot is shaking things up with a GLP-1 friendly menu tailored for health-conscious diners.

And the DOE’s big spend at a Caribbean restaurant in East New York raises eyebrows.

Let’s dive into this week’s freshest bites!

Spray, Tag, Create: Brooklyn Graffiti Class for All Levels

Spray paint with your crew in Brooklyn. Graff Tours runs one of the most fun graffiti experiences in NYC.

A guided, hands-on lesson where you get to design and paint your own mural in Bushwick with help from actual street artists.

You’ll learn the tools, techniques, and tags behind NYC’s iconic graffiti scene.

Great for birthday groups, date nights, team hangs, or just breaking out of your Netflix routine.

🎟️ Book a session and let your inner artist loose.

Wythe Diner Gets a Hollywood Ending in Brooklyn

The iconic Wythe Diner, a Williamsburg staple since 1968, is leaving its longtime home on Wythe Avenue.

The retro ’50s-style railcar diner has been featured in films like The Good Shepherd and Men in Black 3.

Its new home will be at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where it will live on as a permanent movie set.

Instead of rebuilding it from scratch, the diner will be carefully dismantled and moved piece by piece to preserve its authenticity.

The move was arranged by Doug Steiner, chairman of Steiner Studios, as part of the studio’s efforts to maintain unique filming locations.

The diner’s original property has been sold for $12.5 million, with plans for new apartments on the site.

While Williamsburg loses a beloved landmark, the Wythe Diner’s cinematic story is just beginning.

Farewell to NYC Favorites: August Closures

August 2025 brought a wave of bittersweet goodbyes to New York City’s dining scene.

Astoria’s vibrant Tacuba, beloved for its Day of the Dead décor, served its last meal on August 3, though its Hell’s Kitchen outpost remains open.

In the East Village, La Fleur Café & Market closed with plans to relocate, and dessert spot Tiki Tiki shuttered but is expanding elsewhere.

Gowanus lost Dirty Precious, a nearly decade-old cocktail haven, after its lease ended.

Greenpoint’s Franklin Corner Café, a 17-year neighborhood staple once visited by David Lynch, closed when its lease wasn’t renewed.

Prospect Heights said goodbye to R&D Foods after 11 years, soon to be replaced by a Gertie takeout spot.

Other closures included Steve’s Coffee Shop in Flushing, Bar Nine, Noodies, Eva’s Kitchen, Naruto Ramen, and soul food landmark Mitchell’s Soul Food..

Manhattan’s Restaurant Scene Is Back in the Spotlight

Manhattan is officially reclaiming its place as the heart of the culinary world.

After years of pandemic closures and shifting dining trends, the borough is seeing a wave of exciting openings and revivals.

Renowned names like Eugene Remm of The Corner Store and Andrew Tarlow of Borgo are helping lead this revival.

Many chefs who once moved their talents to Brooklyn are now returning to Manhattan to tap into its renewed energy.

New concepts range from pan-Caribbean fine dining at Bridges to retro glamour at Le Veau d’Or.

Seafood-forward menus, comforting classics, and communal dining are all part of the fresh mix.

Manhattan’s food scene now blends nostalgia with bold innovation.

It’s a renaissance built on resilience, creativity, and the undeniable allure of the city’s dining culture.

NYC Restaurant Introduces GLP-1 Friendly Menu

A New York City restaurant is making headlines for catering to a growing health trend.

Tucci, run by restaurateur and media personality Max Tucci, has introduced meals designed specifically for diners using GLP-1 weight-loss medications like Ozempic.

The menu focuses on smaller portions, high-protein options, and nutrient-rich ingredients to align with the dietary needs of people on these medications.

Tucci discussed the new offering during an appearance on Fox & Friends Weekend, highlighting that it’s about both wellness and flavor.

The move reflects a broader shift in the food industry, as restaurants begin adapting menus to meet the needs of health-conscious diners and those on specialized regimens.

Whether you’re on a GLP-1 medication or simply looking for lighter, nutrient-focused dining, Tucci’s new menu could be a tasty way to stay on track.

NYC DOE Spends $745K at Single Caribbean Restaurant in One Year

The NYC Department of Education spent $745,823 in fiscal year 2025 at Fusion East, a Caribbean–soul food restaurant in East New York.

A staggering $618,000 of that total came from Brownsville Collaborative, a single middle school placing frequent catering orders.

This spending marks a huge jump from previous years, with $81,637 spent in 2023 and $470,686 in 2024.

The city comptroller flagged the purchases for poor oversight and noted many orders exceeded per-person catering limits.

The DOE defended the spending, saying it supports minority- and women-owned businesses and followed procurement rules.

They also said staff retraining took place to address any issues.

Since 2016, the DOE has paid Fusion East a total of $1.4 million.

The case highlights questions about oversight and spending priorities within city agencies.

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