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Throughout the world but particularly in New York—which has become the U.S. epicenter of COVID-19—the hospitality industry has joined together to give back to those who have lost work due to restaurant closures during this time. As restaurants have been forced to shut doors, thousands of employees have been furloughed or laid off, and some small businesses are risking shutting down indefinitely. In order to keep the industry alive, many of its most prominent leaders have come together to roll out special charity initiatives to alleviate the blow, such as the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund, José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund among many others, as well as specific employee relief funds for each restaurant.
As they try to remain in business during the nation-wide quarantine restrictions, restaurants are doing all that they can to pivot their business models to come up with creative ideas to continue to serve their customers. Global restaurant brand Cipriani has rolled out new programming that works best for bringing the brand to the home by offering their Cipriani food products for purchase—such as their famed homemade pasta—on sale via their website. They’ve incorporated with it a new series via Instagram and Facebook called #CiprianiAtHome, where they’re sharing some of their most beloved dish recipes with users to create themselves in their own kitchens.
Other chefs, like 2 Michelin-Starred Daniel Boulud—who feel their product cannot be adequately and safely delivered to the home during this time without putting his employees at risk—are taking to Instagram to share at-home recipes, with videos outlining step-by-step instructions to create themselves.
Additionally, there are many restaurants that are operating with delivery and pickup services, with new programming to donate a portion of proceeds to charity or give back to the doctors or communities in need during this trying time for New Yorkers. And finally, it is our duty to support local and keep the restaurant industry alive, so below is a list of some of our top restaurants to indulge in pick-up and delivery orders from as they offer new menus, dishes and services.
Restaurants Giving Back:
Photo Credit: Daniel Kwak
Brooklyn Chop House – The FiDi steakhouse is offering pickup and delivery from the restaurant, but most importantly, they’re giving back while they’re doing it. Brooklyn Chop House will continue offering food deliveries consisting of their most popular dishes to their neighborhood hospital—New York-Presbyterian—on a nightly basis for as long as their doors are open to give back to the heroes on the frontline. Since word has spread, other hospitals like Sloan Kettering, Cornell Weill, Elmhurst Hospital and Lenox Hill have also reached out, and have been coordinating with the restaurant to make meals for these workers, as well. Additionally, any first responders who come to pick up from the restaurant will receive a 20-percent discount off the meal.
Sweetgreen – Sweetgreen was one of the first players in the hospitality industry to step up by utilizing their Outpost operations team to deliver free Sweetgreen salads and bowls to hospital workers in the New York City area since the shut-downs began. Since then, they’ve set an example for others to follow suit and give back.
Loulou – This French bistro is new to the city but it already doing an exceptional job giving back as it began delivery to ICU doctors and nurses, with plans to continue as long as their doors remain open. Loulou is asking for help through donations made to the restaurant, where 100-percent of the proceeds will go to preparing and delivering meals to doctors and nurses during this time. So far, they have serviced Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and Mount Sinai, with hopes to continue to expand with more support. To donate, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/meals-for-hardworking-icu-doctors-during-covid19
Beyond Sushi – Plant-based kosher chain Beyond Sushi delivered their first set of hospital meals on April 1st to 42 healthcare workers at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, thanks to funds raised on the hospital’s behalf. Now, owners Guy and Tali Vaknin have started an additional fundraiser, where every $200 raised will equate to another care package of individual meals sent to a local hospital.
Support Local Through Delivery/Pickup Services:
Carbone – Chef Mario Carbone‘s world-famous Rigatoni + other favorites are available for pickup and delivery via Caviar
Parm – available for pickup and delivery via UberEats, Caviar and DoorDash
Avra – available for pickup and delivery through the restaurant by calling 212-937-0100
Marea – offering pickup and delivery through a newly-launched ordering platform from 4-9 p.m. daily. Additionally, the restaurant is extending 25-percent off their reserve menu of specialty wines to pair with dinner. The restaurant is also encouraging purchasing a gift card from Altamarea Group, which benefits their Helping Hand partnership with Daniel Boulud’s charity, Citymeals—the designated emergency responder for the city’s seniors
Minetta Tavern – offering pickup and delivery, including their world-famous Burger via Caviar
L’Artusi – available for lunch and dinner delivery via Caviar Sunday-Thursday from 4-9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 4-10 p.m.
Carmine’s – offering a menu for delivery and pick-up from their Upper West Side location by ordering online at carminesnyc.com
Emily – available for delivery at the West Village location from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday via Caviar (check the website and Instagram for recent updates as they may change daily)
Pasquale Jones – three-course meals offered for $40, available for pickup or delivery through calling the restaurant. Delivery is also available through Caviar
