Restaurateurs bet on NYC despite Mamdani’s – Business News
A socialist mayor is creating essentially the most anti-business climate the Big Apple has ever seen — however that hasn’t stopped quite a few Big Apple restaurateurs from doubling down and investing within the metropolis they love a lot.
Stathis Antonakopoulos is opening seven eating places right here this yr — the primary, wonderful eating eatery Delos, opened in Midtown in January.
“Mayors come and go, but the city remains,” he informed Side Dish.
Stathis Antonakopoulos is opening seven eating places right here this yr — the primary, wonderful eating eatery Delos, opened in Midtown in January. Courtesy of Mentis Studio
He strongly opposes Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push for the state to increase the minimal wage to a jaw-dropping $30 per hour within the Big Apple.
“You can’t change the state’s minimum wage. New York is still a city, not a state,” he mentioned.
Like many within the business neighborhood, Antonakopoulos can be towards Mamdani’s far-left calls to tax the wealthy, saying of the concept: “It helped him get elected but the reality is that he can’t implement it in this city because you can’t pick and choose to only tax the rich.”
Undeterred, Antonakopoulos opened Delos on West forty seventh Street earlier this yr. He has plans to open one other outpost this fall in Tribeca.
He can be opening Carnegie Diner & Cafes from Tribeca and FiDi to Brooklyn’s City Point and Paramus, NJ, by way of subsequent yr.
That’s on high of the 5 Carnegie Diner & Cafe areas he already runs within the metropolis, plus branches in New Jersey and Virginia.
Antonakopoulos strongly opposes Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push for the state to spice up the minimal wage to a jaw-dropping $30 per hour within the Big Apple. Courtesy of Daniel Kwak
“Nobody puts New York City in the corner. Nobody puts baby in the corner. We learned to dance dirty many years ago,” Antonakopoulos mentioned, quoting a well-known line from the film “Dirty Dancing.”
He’s additionally opening his first rooftop bar, Voco Roofbar, on the Voco Hotel in Times Square.
“I think that the mayor will have an awakening when he sees how the city really works after his first year,” Antonakopoulos mentioned.
He ought to know – he moved to town from Athens in 1999, when he was 21.
“This is the city that never sleeps or dies. I will never turn my back on New York,” he mentioned. “It gave me every little thing I’ve.
Antonakopoulos opened Delos on West forty seventh Street earlier this yr. He has plans to open one other outpost this fall in Tribeca. Courtesy of Mentis Studio
“I’m not sidelined by politics — local or federal. If you give people good food and good service, they will come.”
Antonakopoulos shouldn’t be alone.
Renwick Hospitality — the pressure behind Lindens, Foxtail, ART Soho and far more — is opening Golden Child, a rooftop bar at Hotel Park in Midtown.
“I like to think that all of the mayors of New York are hoping for the best for businesses,” mentioned Gary Wallach, Renwick’s managing accomplice.
“Whether you agree with [Mamdani’s] politics or not, you want to be hopeful that the politicians you elect will improve their cities for the people who live there and the businesses that offer spaces for people to enjoy.”
Renwick Hospitality — the pressure behind Lindens, Foxtail, ART Soho and far more — is opening Golden Child, a rooftop bar at Hotel Park in Midtown. Courtesy of Nicholas Lee Ruiz
“I like to think that all of the mayors of New York are hoping for the best for businesses,” mentioned Gary Wallach, Renwick’s managing accomplice. Courtesy of Nicholas Lee Ruiz
Golden Child’s trendy American menu is from government chef Carsten Johannsen. It provides a playful take on childhood favorites, like a connoisseur PB&J with pear, brie and ham, and “The Only” Golden Osetra Caviar served with potato chips, crème fraîche, chives and caramelized onion.
There will even be elevated pizzas, together with burgers and chicken “tendies” with a caesar salad dip, plus a enjoyable cocktail program.
Meanwhile, restaurateurs Kiril and Metodija Mihajlov – who own the favored Consulate with branches on the Upper West Side and Midtown – are gearing up to open their third outpost at 560 Third Ave. in Murray Hill within the former Rio Grande space subsequent month. They are additionally opening an elevated sports activities bar, At the Office, on the similar deal with on the similar time. That’s after the couple opened The C Cafe within the West Village in September.
Restaurateurs Kiril and Metodija Mihajlov – who own the favored Consulate with branches on the Upper West Side and Midtown – are gearing up to open their third outpost at 560 Third Ave. in Murray Hill. A rendering, above. Courtesy of Larisa Mihajlova
“I invested millions, so I can’t stop,” Kiril Mihaljlov mentioned. Courtesy of Larisa Mihajlova
Kiril Mihaljlov mentioned he signed the lease for the Murray Hill space final yr, earlier than the mayoral election.
“I just watch my business,” he mentioned, including that the issues he’s dealing with — “like the price of eggs going up 100% this week” — aren’t related to the mayor.
“I invested millions, so I can’t stop. I have to open the businesses and try to make money. I can’t close,” mentioned Mihaljlov, who continues to create neighborhood eating places that New Yorkers love.
