🚕 Winter Is Peak Crab Season in NYC

Good Morning NY!

Katz’s Delicatessen reflects on its Hollywood legacy as it honors the director behind one of cinema’s most iconic food scenes.

A Brooklyn woman accused of multiple dine-and-dash incidents is facing court, drawing citywide attention to a bizarre restaurant crime spree.

New health inspection reports reveal which NYC restaurants earned some of the city’s worst scores this week.

And as temperatures drop, winter crab season takes center stage, bringing luxury seafood moments to menus across the city.

Let’s dive into the stories shaping NYC’s food scene right now.

Katz’s Deli Honors When Harry Met Sally Director Rob Reiner

Katz’s Delicatessen paid tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner following news of his death.

Reiner directed When Harry Met Sally, which featured one of the most iconic scenes in movie history filmed inside the Lower East Side deli.

The famous “I’ll have what she’s having” moment helped cement Katz’s place in pop culture more than three decades ago.

Katz’s shared a public tribute honoring Reiner as a creative force closely tied to the restaurant’s legacy.

The deli highlighted its famous movie table, which remains a popular destination for fans and tourists.

Photos and messages reflected Reiner’s long-standing relationship with the institution beyond the film.

Owner Jake Dell remembered Reiner as a regular guest and friend of the deli.

The tribute underscored how a single film scene helped turn Katz’s into a global cultural landmark.

Brooklyn “Dine-and-Dash Diva” Faces Court After Multiple Thefts

Pei Chung, a 34-year-old Brooklyn woman, appeared in Brooklyn criminal court this week for allegedly skipping out on multiple restaurant bills.

She is accused of dine-and-dash incidents at at least eight upscale NYC restaurants within roughly a month.

Locations include Francie, Peter Luger, and Mole Mexican Bar and Grill, prompting police involvement about ten times.

During the hearing, Judge Orville Reynolds scolded Chung for interrupting court proceedings.

Her lawyer requested a ban on photography, but the judge denied it, citing public interest in the case.

The court previously ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine if Chung could comprehend the charges against her.

She is charged with theft of services and is currently being held at Rikers Island pending further proceedings.

The case has drawn public attention due to the repeated nature of the alleged thefts and the upscale venues involved.

NYC Restaurants Hit With Worst Health Scores This Week

New York City health inspectors released their latest results for the week of December 8‑12, 2025.

Several restaurants received troubling violation scores, highlighting food-safety concerns.

Grata Thai on the Upper East Side was cited with 67 violation points and was temporarily shut down.

Violations at Grata Thai included unsafe food temperatures and contamination risks in food prep and storage areas.

Even popular or well-reviewed establishments can fail to meet health standards during routine inspections.

These inspections provide a snapshot of sanitation practices across the city’s diverse restaurant scene.

Regular health reporting helps diners make informed choices about where to eat.

The weekly results remind New Yorkers to pay attention to inspection scores when trying new restaurants.

Staying aware of these reports can encourage safer dining experiences throughout the city.

Winter Is Peak Crab Season in NYC

Winter is when crab reaches its peak, turning the ingredient into a cold-weather luxury across New York City.

Japanese restaurants in particular are spotlighting crab through seasonal kaiseki and omakase menus built around peak freshness.

Snow crab, king crab, red snow crab, and hairy crab are prized for their sweetness, texture, and rich roe.

Chefs are serving crab in refined preparations like grilled legs with liver sauce, chawanmushi, tempura, and clay-pot rice.

Many of these crabs are flown in from Japan, reinforcing their scarcity and celebratory status during winter months.

Beyond Japanese cuisine, crab appears across the city in Thai omelettes, Chinese drunken crab, and Indian coastal dishes.

The ingredient’s seasonal nature makes it a ritualized winter indulgence rather than an everyday menu item.

As temperatures drop, NYC diners are leaning into crab as one of the most luxurious ways to eat through winter.

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