🚕 Relay Exits NYC Amid Rising Worker Protections

Good Morning NY!
New York City is closing out February with a mix of vibrant events, new openings, and major industry shifts.

From orchid-filled installations at the New York Botanical Garden to pop-ups, performances, and winter festivities, the weekend calendar is packed with ways to explore the city.

On the dining front, rising concepts like Beto’s Carnitas & Guisados and THISBOWL are expanding NYC’s ever-evolving fast-casual landscape.

Across the Hudson, longtime neighborhood staples are navigating closures and seasonal challenges, underscoring the pressures facing local operators this winter.

Meanwhile, the sudden exit of Relay highlights the growing tension between gig-economy platforms and strengthened worker protections.

From cultural celebrations to restaurant transformations, this week’s stories capture a city constantly adapting while staying as dynamic as ever.

Vibrant Weekend Events Light Up NYC: February 20-22

The Orchid Show returns to the New York Botanical Garden with thousands of orchids arranged in a creative NYC-themed display.

This long-running exhibition features stoops, slice shops, and subway-inspired setups through April 26.

A Survivor 50 Challenge scavenger hunt launches Sunday across the city, offering prizes including a VIP trip to the season finale.

Lincoln Center hosts a lively Lunar New Year celebration for the Year of the Fire Horse on Sunday from 11am to 3pm.

The event includes dance, Korean music, arts and crafts, K-pop, storytime, and food activities.

Willy’s Pies pops up for one day only at Layla in Brooklyn, serving London-style chicken, pancetta, and tarragon pies.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings an all-human circus spectacle to Barclays Center through February 22.

Free iceless curling continues at Bryant Park daily until February 26, open to first-come, first-served players.

National Walk Your Dog Day takes over Washington Square Park on Saturday with breakfast, group walks, and giveaways.

These diverse events blend culture, fun, and winter activities across the five boroughs.

Beto’s Carnitas & Guisados Opens Permanent Spot on the Lower East Side

Beto’s Carnitas & Guisados has opened its first permanent restaurant on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The new location sits at 69 Clinton Street near Rivington Street on the Lower East Side.

The concept began as a popular pop-up in 2023, founded by Tahiz Gonzalez and Connor Kaminski.

The name pays tribute to Gonzalez’s late father, Umberto, drawing from cherished family carnitas Sundays in Mexico City.

Gonzalez explains that carnitas evoke strong childhood memories and that the restaurant aims to fill a gap for authentic Mexico City-style carnitas in New York.

The menu features tacos priced between $5 and $6.50, including slow-cooked pork carnitas in house-made flour tortillas.

Other taco options include mushrooms, chicken tinga, picadillo, chicken mole verde, chicharrónes with salsa verde, and chambarete in salsa morita.

Tortas filled with carnitas or mushrooms are available for $13, alongside gorditas, rice, beans, and guacamole with chips.

The 1,000-square-foot space, formerly Izakaya Ronin, offers 10 dine-in seats and standing counters.

Mexican juices and sodas are served while the team awaits a liquor license for a planned bar.

Hours run from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Australian Bowl Chain THISBOWL Secures Fifth NYC Spot

Australian-inspired eatery chain THISBOWL has claimed its fifth location in New York City.

The new café will open at 1880 Broadway, on the Broadway side of the luxury condo tower known as 15 Central Park West.

The nearly 2,000-square-foot space sits within a property that is 95% leased in its retail portion.

THISBOWL combines Asian-inspired bowl dishes with Australian beach culture vibes.

The chain already operates an existing location at 65 Bleecker Street in the city.

A Newmark team represented THISBOWL in the lease negotiations.

The landlord, Global Holdings and Madison Capital, was represented in-house by Craig Panzirer.

Panzirer described the deal as reinforcing the property’s appeal to dynamic, forward-thinking lifestyle brands.

This expansion highlights continued interest in fast-casual concepts at prime Manhattan addresses.

(118 words).

Hoboken and Jersey City Face Restaurant Closures and Winter Challenges

Several beloved local eateries in Hoboken and Jersey City have recently closed their doors.

The Hive, a popular Hoboken coffee shop, is expanding with its first New York City location in Greenwich Village.

Jersey City’s Baonanas shut down after nearly 12 years, citing rising costs and a difficult restaurant environment.

Ubu, the long-standing Hoboken sushi restaurant at 205 Hudson Street since 1996, has also permanently closed.

La Casa in Hoboken closed, though the same owners plan to reopen the space as Papaya Dog.

A brutal winter storm is approaching Hudson County, with forecasters predicting up to a foot of snow starting Sunday evening.

Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency ahead of the blizzard warnings affecting many counties.

These closures and weather warnings add to ongoing local concerns about business sustainability and seasonal impacts in the region.

Relay Exits NYC Amid Rising Worker Protections

Relay, the behind-the-scenes delivery platform used by many independent restaurants, has abruptly shut down its New York City operations.

The company informed workers via email that jobs would end on April 1, 2026, citing an inability to sustain business in its key market.

Relay recommended that affected riders switch to other third-party apps, though many face waitlists.

The shutdown follows Wonder's 2024 acquisition of Relay and comes during an ongoing investigation into its labor practices.

New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection recently settled with Relay for $200,000 in worker payments and $20,000 in penalties over violations of delivery worker rights.

Officials, including Commissioner Sam Levine, have criticized corporate consolidation and pledged to scrutinize Wonder for similar issues.

Workers and advocates describe the closure as another example of companies exploiting labor until stricter regulations force change.

The move highlights growing tensions between profitability and emerging protections in NYC's delivery economy.

Thanks

Thanks for reading NYC Bites today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves food and NYC.

Want to advertise in our newsletter? Fill out this form here and we will be in touch shortly!

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign-up to get it.

Have a question or need support? Contact us.