It’s time to go back

I’ve been living in New York City for 14 years now, and it has never ceased to surprise me how after Labor Day Weekend, the city always seems to wake up again. This occasion was no exception either: museums, galleries, offices and schools reopened again.

One thing I really enjoy about this city is the different gastronomic options it offers, from eating some standing tacos that inevitably remind me of Mexico, to discovering new restaurants. And what I enjoy the most is going back to those restaurants where I know the whole team and make me feel at home.

(Image: Indochine Restaurante)

For just as on trips, when we go to restaurants, we create memories.

I still remember one of my first dinners with some dear friends in New York City, in the famous restaurant La Esquina, where, in those days, it was impossible to get a table; or one of the last dinners at the classic Four Seasons (now closed) and order its famous cotton candy for dessert. As well as eating in the cafeteria of the Museum of Modern Art with my parents, those are the most valuable memories we have.

(Image: RoccoPopUpNYC is a pop-up restaurant at the Mondrian Park Avenue hotel, created by chef Rocco DiSpirito)

On the other hand, something I love about this city is its resilience and the way it makes you innovate and adapt. For example, Estela opened for the month of September with an outdoor picnic concept at the Rockefeller Center’s skating rink. But also, other restaurants have been adapted to be able to serve only outdoors, something that we would never have imagined about some establishments.

(Image: Ruben Toledo, Jean-Marc Houmard, 2009 – a watercolor of Indochine owner Jean-Marc Houmard)

September 30 is a great date for the city, since it is the date it will start to allow people eating inside the restaurants again.

That is why I think it is a time to reflect and, as far as possible, we support restaurants, because the restaurant industry is vital for the city.

(Image: BondST – founded by Jonathan Morr)

I agree with governor of the state, Andrew Cuomo, I think it is time to return to the city and that people that have the resources to do so, really do so, so that little by little, we can reactivate the city. For those who have been fortunate enough and whose resources have not been affected, can return the favor to the city in that way. That is by consuming and buying local, in other words, reactivating the economy. Because we must not forget all the teachings and opportunities that this city has offered us, now it is up to us to support it.

(Image: ATLA – mi favorite Mexican restaurant, created by chef Enrique Olvera)

It is time to return to the city and continue to create new memories with our loved ones, needless to say, respecting all security measures, this in order to support our beloved New York City.

(Image: Chef Ignacio Mattos owner of Estela, Café Altro Paradiso and Flora Bar restaurants)