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Ode to New York – JAPANFM

Images of a torn New York City, whose buzzing boulevards suddenly went silent and empty at the start of the year are being replaced by those of a metropolis on the rebound. European-style sidewalk seating adorns restaurants from downtown to downtown, Staten Island to the Bronx, and Brooklyn to Queens. Museums are reopening and resilient New Yorkers are making the most of their hometown, taking advantage of many new open spaces.

We’re excited to hear how New York will recreate itself on its path to recovery and as a result, we spoke with Christopher Heywood, executive vice president of global communications for NYC & Company, who manages tourism for the five boroughs for get the scoop on the come back.

“People considering a trip to New York should be confident that there has been a lot of work done putting visitor safety first; whether you see it in museums or in transport, or in the outdoor dining set, ”Heywood told us. Updates on these efforts are posted on NYCGo.com, as is a full menu of things to do around town.

The New York City tourism industry is taking a hyper-local approach to getting residents and these 20 million people in the metro area to enjoy what’s in their own backyards through an “Everything” campaign. At New York”. Now is a great time to see New York City without the crowds, but make no mistake, the goal is to bring people back to the city to redevelop the vibrancy it is known for.

The “Neighborhood Getaways” program (details on NYCGo.com) encourages New Yorkers to take advantage of deals and offers rarely available in the City That Never Sleeps. MasterCard is a corporate sponsor and offers a credit of $ 100, depending on the amount spent.

The “New York Staycation” program has the message that “you might think you know New York, but you really don’t.”

Grand Central Station is a New York icon that draws tourists and locals alike in awe of its architecture. // Photo: Getty Images

“There is so much to see and do, even for the most jaded New Yorker,” Heywood says. He says that even without Broadway, which won’t reopen until next year, there’s plenty of public art available, museums are open, and as always, there are dozens of smaller-scale cultural offerings to enjoy. .

The bottom line, especially for travelers who can’t wait to take a vacation in these tough times? Know that the city has flattened the curve of COVID-19 infections and continues to do so. And although the pandemic has been pushed back, officials are still very cautious and remain extremely vigilant to keep the infection rate low.

“I would say New York’s biggest selling point right now is that we are the safest place in the country,” Heywood says.

The inside scoop

We asked New Yorkers to paint a picture of what it’s like to be in the city right now.

“I’m a New Yorker and watching my city get hit and then slowly recover and adjust during the crisis has been a testament to its resilience. When the doors are closed, we sing in the streets, ”says Sekita Ekrek of Sekita Ekrek Luxury Travel Marketing.

“In addition to all the outdoor restaurant facilities, there is now a lot of music and creativity on the streets, which I love. [On a recent] Sunday afternoon, while shopping in the East Village, I stopped in my tracks to hear a beautiful voice echoing “Somewhere” from “West Side Story”. I turned to see that a crowd had gathered in Astor Place – young and old, all walks of life. The New York Philharmonic was doing a pop-up concert. It was so moving, it literally brought tears to my eyes. The other night I saw a random game in Fort Greene about 20 years old dealing with life during COVID. Everyone was sitting on blankets six feet apart – including the actors. It is an interesting time in history to see New York. I say put on those walking shoes and start exploring, ”Ekrek says.

Laurie Palumbo, COO of Island Destinations, who is also a local, says: “I love New York and one of my favorite places is The bars at Baccarat Hotel. I have the impression of going back in time, the setting is so glamorous and decadent; watching the bartenders carefully mix handcrafted cocktails served in gorgeous Baccarat crystal glasses under sparkling chandeliers always makes me smile! It’s on my to-do list after COVID! “

“Living in New York City thanks to COVID has been a wonderful experience to see young neighbors stepping up to verify with older residents that they can purchase needed supplies at drugstores or supermarkets,” Kitt Garrett of Kitt Garrett says at New York.

Central Park never loses its romance, even as the colder months approach. // Photo: Getty Images

She says other efforts by locals include “bringing the community together to support local mom-and-pop stores, joining the cleanup with our neighborhood committee, and appreciating the support of the amazing staff at our building to make sure we are all safe, and everything we need is provided. It’s the best of what it means to be a New Yorker, with people helping people.

Lucille Ebbe Pucciarelli, President and CEO of Clark Travel Agency, Inc., lives in New Jersey and recently took a day trip to the city. “Normally I would go to a museum or a play. When we got there we walked and walked… to the Flatiron district and ate at the The patio d’Eataly, which was phenomenal. We walked through Madison Square Park, then to Bryant Park, where we sat and enjoyed the view of my favorite park in NYC. There were a lot of people enjoying the city. It was wonderful. “

New York finds its way into the soul and remains, year after year.

“I live on the Upper East Side,” says Ivan Igor Matta, co-owner of aliveXperiences, a boutique tour operator for Europe. “I moved to New York 16 years ago after spending two weeks there as a tourist. I love the city for its atmosphere, because even though it is very expensive, the city never stops giving. You can be whoever you want and start fresh any day of your life. ”

Limor Dector, luxury travel consultant with Ovation Travel Group, recalls her first memory of New York in 1971: “I was only six years old and we had just left Israel. We were immigrants, foreigners in a new country and I remember going on the Staten Island ferry around Manhattan and seeing the Twin Towers being built, towering over the city skyline. I was speechless. I was amazed to see the tallest buildings in the world [at the time] In progress. This memory is etched in my heart and mind forever. The Twin Towers were the embodiment of American dreams that we came to pursue in the land of opportunity.

Alison Kraft Blue of Plaza Travel moved from California to New York in 1986. “I was a young girl looking to face the world in the hospitality industry. I had never been there but wanted to change. The world has opened up to me in these streets. It changed me forever, ”she said. Luxury travel advisor.

Adventures in catering

Amy Grigos, luxury travel consultant and founder of High Access Travel, reports that “Contrary to popular belief, New York is not dead. It’s a bit beaten, sure, but he’s doing everything he can to come back.

She recently dined at three establishments in New York City to sample their outdoor restaurants. “The first stop was Bellini at M. C Seaport. If you know anything about Cipriani’s, this is a great outdoor option. It’s a bit off the beaten track and you can still experience the same wonderful Bellini from Harry’s Bar in Venice. The hotel also does a great job, with social distancing and protocols. The view from some rooms of the Brooklyn Bridge can take the breath of even the most jaded New Yorker. The last time we had dinner there we were informed that they have heaters to extend the option of alfresco dining in colder weather. Well done, Mr. C Seaport and Bellini!

” Next stop, Pastis on Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. This place was an institution – you may remember from “Sex in the City” – and when it closed everyone was deeply saddened. When Stephen Starr and Keith McNally reopened it in 2019, celebrities were back in droves. To expand the seating for outdoor dining, Gansevoort Street on this part of the block is closed to traffic. It was a very cold night the night we were there. People without reservations were turned away and take out orders were flying out of the kitchen. They won’t bring you a cocktail until you order at least one appetizer. Some of the tables are under hanging heat lamps, but not all. We tried to get home the other night at the last minute but couldn’t get a reservation as they were fully engaged. Three good, Pastis!

Gansevoort Street is famous for its in-demand restaurants and shops. It’s busy even in these difficult times. // Photo: Getty Images

“Americans still can’t go to Italy and enjoy the famous Tagliolini Al Limone at the Santa Caterina hotel and it’s something we’ve been dreaming about since last summer when we were there. We decided one evening to head to Morandi in the West Village to get our Italian solution. Morandi is known for his Fritto Misto di Pesce, which consists of salted and fried calamari; shrimp with the head on and small whole fish, similar to sardines. This fried and salty combo is definitely a ploy to make your drink more and more wine than you usually would. We don’t have any issues with more vino, especially on a cold Saturday night, eating outside with no heat lamp in sight. Morandi is always packed and you can usually have dinner quite late, but during the pandemic they stopped serving much earlier. We got there just in time to grab a table outside, although they did have a few tables to sit inside (which were six feet apart). We ordered the Pici al Limone (hand rolled spaghetti with lemon and parmesan) and a bottle of Barolo, closed our eyes and imagined we were on the Amalfi Coast. It was nice to be outside, supporting New York restaurants, but we can’t wait to go back to Italy. Greet!

“So far, on our nightlife dining tours in New York City, we’re three for three. All three restaurants are doing their best under the circumstances, and we’re happy to support them and pray that things will change, as New York City is known for some of the greatest restaurants in the world.

“We’re all in the same boat, so wear your mask, wear sanitizer and support these great establishments because we want to take advantage of it and we want them to exist for years to come.

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