NYC News
NYC Bites: Mini Kaiseki Experience, Soup & Slice, Hospitality Tips & Ferdinando's Focacceria Closes Suddenly
February 27, 2025, 7:41.01 pm ET
NYC Bites - What New York City chefs and restaurants are up to now!
On Sunday, March 16, Lingo and SSAW Brooklyn unite for a one-night-only Mini Kaiseki experience. Chefs Emily Yuen and Yusuke Fukuzaki craft a six-course tasting menu ($85) blending Japanese tradition with global influences while honoring nature's finest ingredients at their peak. Limited seatings at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM—pre-paid tickets required. Reserve on Resy
Photo: Stretch Pizza
Starting Tuesday, March 4, Stretch Pizza is introducing its Soup & Slice ($11), a comforting combo of tomato soup with your choice of classic, pepperoni, white, or mushroom pesto pizza. Available from 11:30 AM to 5 PM.
On March 24th and 25th, a special workshop - Hiring for Hospitality: The Key to Thriving Teams & Business Success - will be held by the Union Square Hospitality Group. The two-day workshop is designed to help busineses integrate hospitality into their hiring practices. Led by industry leaders, including Danny Meyer, Founder of UUSHG, this immersive experience can teach you how to build a culture of care and connection, ensuring business success through loyal, engaged teams. Tickets here
Photo: Cititour.com
Finally, saying goodbye to Ferdinando's Focacceria. The restaurant, which opened in 1904 on Union Street in Carroll Gardens, closed suddenly, issuing this statement in an Instagram post:
"To our dear and valued patrons: Due to unforeseen circumstances, our family has made the decision to permanently cease the operation of Ferdinando’s. It was a decision that was both difficult and painful. But nonetheless necessary. Rendering a 121 year institution such as ours a fond memory cannot come without a mix of emotions.Fading into The Red Hook sunset quietly, without fanfare, was felt to be a proper and discreet finish. We apologize for not providing an opportunity to savor a last meal with us and to say goodbye. We wish to thank the generations of patrons, generations of families, for their business and support. We hope you will remember Ferdinando’s Focacceria fondly."
One of our favorite dishes at Ferdinando's had to be the Panelle Special, chickpea fritters piled high on a warm sesame seed bun topped with creamy ricotta cheese and shavings of fresh parmesan cheese. It was offered with a glass of Manhattan Special coffee soda that the restaurant keept on tap.
It will be missed!
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