Eating places in Manhattan’s dreaded congestion pricing zone are scrambling to maintain prospects coming by their doorways – by providing to pay the $9 toll, Facet Dish has realized.
From Fresco by Scotto in Midtown to Sushi by Bou in Nomad to Clinton Corridor within the Monetary District, diners can get a bit aid from the hated levy – which went into impact on Sunday.
“During the week, we get the business crowd, but on Fridays and Saturdays, our people drive in from outside Manhattan — from the boroughs, Long Island and New Jersey, and right now they are angry — even if you live in Manhattan you have to come into the zone,” restaurateur and “Good Day New York” host Rosanna Scotto instructed Facet Dish.
On Friday, her restaurant will provide a $9 credit score per desk, offered diners order not less than one appetizer and a important course. Whether it is in style, the restaurant will think about extending the deal.
“As a family-owned restaurant in the heart of New York City, we understand the challenges our guests face. This dinner is our way of saying thank you for choosing to dine with us,” Scotto stated.
One other restaurateur, The Lure Group’s CEO Aristotle “Telly” Hatzigeorgiou, stated he’s providing drivers $9 off tabs of $100 or extra at his Clinton Corridor areas at W. thirty sixth Avenue, E. 51st and in FiDi for the remainder of January.
“It’s a way to take a bit of the sting out of being stung by congestion pricing,” Hatzigeorgiou instructed Facet Dish.
Veteran nightlife impresario Richie Romero, a associate in Sushi by Bou, stated the Japanese restaurant is providing $9 off per individual on its $65 signature 12-course Omakase expertise. Diners should use the code CONGESTION to get the deal, which runs by Feb. 1.
All three restaurateurs stated they’re utilizing the distinction system for the $9 refund – the toll charged for drivers heading under sixtieth St. throughout peak hours, from 5 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 9 pm on weekends.
“Most people don’t even know [the zone’s borders.],” Romero instructed Facet Dish. “If they live on 74th St and they come down to Sushi by Bou in Nomad and then go back up you are paying a toll.”
He added: “Even today, I have to go to one of my partner’s places on 94th St. and I have to pay a friggin’ congestion toll to get back home in the West Village. It’s crazy! The problem with Sushi by Bou is that every single one of our places is in the zone — two in Nomad, one in TImes Square and one in Chelsea.”
The famed promoter’s advertising and marketing staff got here up with a tongue-in-cheek social media marketing campaign to tout the Sushi by Bou low cost — utilizing a picture that mimics the brand new toll indicators hung up across the metropolis.
Romero, who additionally runs the favored Meatpacking District nightclub Rumour, stated he plans to hire buses to shuttle visitors and staffers from Brooklyn and Queens to assist defray their prices.
He’ll use Mercedes Sprinters vans for Manhattan prospects.
Scotto additionally plans so as to add a bit music to brighten up the temper at her restaurant, at 34 E. 52nd St., by throwing a Congestion Pricing Dinner this Friday, full with a DJ.
“Maybe we’ll play that Donna Summer’s song — toot toot, beep beep!” she quipped.
