Good morning New York!
In today’s NYC Newsletter:
Restaurant week continues, Mamdani bans hotel “junk fees,” other events this week.
Let’s get to it.
– Sofia Kurd.
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New York Question Of The Day
The answer to last week’s trivia:
C) Law & Order Law & Order (which premiered in 1990) is famous for being shot almost entirely on location in New York City. It was groundbreaking in its extensive use of real NYC streets, boroughs, and local landmarks for filming, rather than relying on California soundstages.
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What To Do This Weekend [Jan 23-25]
1. NYC Restaurant Week Jan 20-Feb 12 | 30/45/60 prix-fixe | 600+ restaurants across all five boroughs.
2. NYC Must-See Week 2-for-1 Deals Jan 20-Feb 12 | 2-for-1 admission | Museums, observation decks, attractions. Buy one ticket, get one free at MoMA, Whitney, Natural History Museum, Empire State Building.
3. Primark Studio: "Every Move Counts" Pop-Up Jan 24-25 | 11 AM-5 PM | Free entry | 55 Great Jones St New activewear line, free full-size skincare routine, complimentary hand hydration, matcha lattes & fresh-pressed juices.
4. New York International Film Exhibition Jan 23-24 | Gallery-style screenings | 15 E 40th St Immersive exhibition of three contemporary Chinese films. Opening social Fri 5-6 PM.
5. Umeko @ East Village Lunch Thurs-Fri | Intimate Japanese tasting menu. Limited seating, Thursday-Friday lunch service only.
6. Whitney Museum Art Party Fri, Jan 23 | After-hours | Galleries open late with DJ sets, cocktails, dance floors. Aesop, Libertine, Faena New York support.
7. New York Philharmonic Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel Sun, Jan 25 | 7 PM | David Geffen Hall | World-class orchestra, world-class conductor in Lincoln Center.
8. Aperitivo by Carta @ West Village Recently opened | 101 West 10th St Day-to-night cafe & wine bar. Paloma Bakery coffee by day, Mediterranean mains & natural wines by night.
9. Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics @ Barclays Fri, Jan 23 | 7:30 PM | Matchup against the defending champs.
10. Faena New York Opening Jan 23 onwards | Luxury hotel & rooftop lounge | The iconic Miami and Buenos Aires Hotel, Faena, opens in New York. Restaurant and lounge now open to the public.
Hidden Gems
Free fashion museum inside the Fashion Institute of Technology. It focuses on clear, well-curated exhibitions that trace how clothing trends, textiles, and design have evolved.
16-seat French tasting-menu restaurant hidden behind an art gallery façade, an intimate, elevated dining experience off the usual restaurant grid.
A European-style wellness escape: Thermal spa on Governors Island with heated outdoor pools overlooking the NYC skyline.
Local News
Mayor Mamdani Bans Hotel "Junk Fees" New NYC rule takes effect immediately. Hotels can no longer tack on hidden "resort" or "destination" fees to room rates. The move follows months of consumer complaints about surprise charges at checkout.
MTA Installs Final Fare Gate Model in Pilot Program The third and final design from Korean firm STraffic debuts at select subway stations. The new gates aim to reduce fare evasion after earlier models were criticized for being easily bypassed.
Three Casino Licenses Approved for NYC New York State Gaming Commission greenlights two gaming complexes in Queens and one in the Bronx. The projects are projected to generate $6 billion annually in tax revenue for education, housing, and health initiatives.
Mamdani Pushes $30-by-2030 Minimum Wage Goal Mayor doubles down on raising the city's minimum wage despite opposition from Gov. Hochul. The proposal is part of a broader affordability agenda that includes universal childcare and tenant protections.
Congestion Pricing Generates $550M for MTA Gov. Hochul announces the program has already raised half a billion dollars while cutting traffic. The revenue is being reinvested into subway and bus improvements across the five boroughs.
Hochul Announces Free Childcare for 2-Year-Olds New "2-Care" program launches statewide. The initiative aims to help working families afford childcare while boosting workforce participation, particularly for women returning to work.
Nurses' Strike Enters Day 12 with Renewed Negotiations Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian resume bargaining with union representatives. Nurses continue demanding safe staffing levels, workplace violence protections, and healthcare benefits preservation.
Red Light Cameras Coming to 450 NYC Intersections City announces major traffic safety expansion. The cameras will be installed throughout all five boroughs to reduce dangerous driving and improve pedestrian safety.Winter
Storm Fern Brings Extreme Cold & Snow This Weekend NYC braces for temperatures dropping to 12°F Friday night, with highs of just 18-20°F Saturday-Sunday. Major winter storm expected to begin early Sunday morning with significant snow accumulation
New York City Fact
For the past 50 years, the price of a New York pizza slice has tracked almost perfectly with the cost of a subway fare. Economists call this the "Pizza Principle"—an informal measure of inflation and cost-of-living shifts in the city. It's not intentional coordination. Both industries have quietly adjusted prices in response to the same economic pressures. The correlation has held so consistently that financial analysts occasionally reference it as a real indicator of whether the city's economy is functioning normally. However, recent inflation has caused pizza prices (often $4+) to outpace the now $3 subway fare, causing the principle to break down.
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