A hidden speakeasy called Behind the Grind is tucked behind The Coffee Grind at 9 Broadway, hosting private events and occasional ticketed nights.

Mad For Chicken has opened at 221 Old Country Road in Carle Place, bringing soy‑garlic wings, kimchi items and a halal menu to Old Country Road. The restaurant is serving lunch and dinner daily.

As Americans drink less, restaurant bar sales are sliding — forcing chefs and owners to rework menus, cut shifts and lean on mocktails and food to hit the numbers.

Katana Kitten’s Masahiro Urushido is bringing The Winters Coming to Chelsea — a smaller Japanese cocktail bar serving seasonal drinks and home‑style small plates.

Alex and Miles Pincus are converting a French Quarter building at 622 Conti St. into Holywater, an oyster bar and lounge slated to open late this spring.

Lucia Pizza will take over the former Starbucks at 159 Columbus Ave, adding a fifth NYC location. No opening date has been announced.

Prima di Carne opened in Fresh Meadows with dry‑aged steaks, sushi and Vaad Harabonim of Queens supervision at 178‑01 Union Turnpike. The menu leans meat‑first with sharable ribs and a signature Prima Roll.

Defiant Brewing Co. in Pearl River will close at the end of March after 21 years. Longtime patrons are sharing memories as the taproom prepares for its final weeks.

Cups of Pasta in Sunnyside will give away a free cup of penne alla vodka on Saturday, March 14. The tiny shop's cups and "super cup" options have been drawing late‑night crowds since last fall.

The Manhattan burger brand has leased a Manhattan Avenue shop in Greenpoint; a franchisee will run the 1,580‑sq‑ft space, with a late‑summer 2026 opening planned.

Smorgasburg reopens April 4–5 for its 16th season with 74 vendors and 22 newcomers — many immigrant-founded — across Williamsburg and Prospect Park.

Maman signed a 6,600-square-foot lease at 66 Water Street in Dumbo and plans to open a large bakery-café with event space this spring.

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao is heading to Framingham — the New York soup‑dumpling brand lists 84 Worcester Rd as a "coming soon" site and local permits show renovations are under way.