Gitano NYC
23 Grand Street
One of my all-time favorite spots is finally open again, Gitano NYC! Gitano made its way to Soho a couple of years ago. It’s decked out with wooden dining tables, palm trees, a pond...even a meditation labyrinth! In terms of safety, here are a few precautions they’ve put in place to ensure guests feel as safe as possible:
Social Distancing: the space is about 24,000 square feet so they’ve created a ton of space in between tables and pockets of “private gardens.”
Contactless Ordering: all of the ordering and payments are done through smartphones and QR codes; there are no paper menus or servers!
Protective Gear: the staff is made up of a couple of hostesses, bartenders, and a few “table runners” who wear face masks, gloves, and visors.
Grand Banks
Pier 25 Hudson River Park
Grand Banks is another favorite of mine! It’s an oyster bar with an incredible waterfront view. They also raise money for sustainability and preservation initiatives. *Pro tip: order the lobster roll; it’s the BEST thing on the menu.
A few safety precautions they’ve set: all of the staffers are required to wear gloves and face masks, and they have limited seating so social distancing rules can be enforced. They also provide hand sanitizer pre and post meals, and have contactless payments.
Photo via @grandbanksnyc