Rocco DiSpirito is back with his first Big Apple restaurant in six years — and it’s about time. Bar Rocco (32 W. 48th St.) is a proudly old-school Italian American restaurant on the Kimpton Era Hotel’s second floor. It’s plain wonderful, thanks to DiSpirito’s skills, which first wowed the city at French-American Union Pacific in the late 1990s. … Read more
This may be tough for some chowhounds to swallow. Costco, a members-only warehouse club, oft-praised for its $1.50 hot dog combo, which offers shoppers the meaty treat and a 20-ounce refillable fountain soda for a steal, is altering the deal to be more inclusive. But, thankfully, not more expensive. Costco is reportedly making a monumental change … Read more
Summer in the Big Apple is right around the corner, and after a punishing winter with arctic temperatures and record-breaking storms, nothing sounds better than ending a fun day in the sun with a sweet treat. But rather than a typical Mister Softee cone, NYC dessert shops are offering a slew of jaw-dropping, out-there desserts … Read more
McDonald’s is popping off with their new beverages. The fast-food giant announced its first-ever line of refreshers and “dirty sodas.” Earlier this month, reports confirmed the addition of new drinks such as energy drinks and specialty sodas as part of a broader overhaul of its cold drinks menu at US restaurants, but this new announcement … Read more
Piccorini Morini, a sort of 2.0 version of Soho’s now shuttered and beloved Osteria Morini eatery on Lafayette St., will launch this June in Nolita, Side Dish can exclusively reveal. The ground floor space, at The Nolitan Hotel, 40 Kenmare, will house a “design forward” Italian eatery, with fresh pasta, curated small plates — and $9 … Read more
A popular Upper West Side restaurant has abruptly shuttered after the owner suffered a bizarre, “life-threatening” accident in Mexico — and may be on the hook for more than $1 million in back rent, Side Dish has learned. The Milling Room, known for its airy dining room and vaulted glass ceiling — closed unexpectedly in … Read more
Coca-Cola fans’ love for the fizzy stuff continues to grow — even as the containers it comes in keep whittling down. On Tuesday, the company reported an increase in sales at the start of the year, raking in $12.5 billion over three months and raising shares by 5% — a notable find, considering the simultaneous … Read more
A cult-favorite Venice burger stand is heading north — and bringing its famously cheap cheeseburgers with it. The Win~Dow is set to open a new location on Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue this May, expanding the brand’s growing footprint across Southern California. The smashburger spot — known for its $4.50 cheeseburgers — first launched in 2019 as a tiny … Read more
It’s not every day that Steve Carrell shows up to hype your neighborhood pizza joint — but for one longtime Los Angeles staple, it’s apparently just business as usual. Barone’s Famous Italian Restaurant dropped a playful Instagram Reel this week featuring the “Rooster” star standing outside the eatery, pointing up at the sign and delivering a … Read more
After a devastating diagnosis of celiac disease at age 20, Vanessa Phillips had to rewrite the menu in a city that runs on bagels and carbs. Phillips, now 42, wanted nothing more than to be able to eat her go-to comfort foods without spending her days in pain. After the success of her first venture … Read more
Shake Shack’s summer menu is smoking hot — and it features an innovation. As part of its Smoky BBQ summer menu, Shake Shack has introduced a BBQ Boneless Baby Back Rib Sandwich, marking a “first-of-its-kind sandwich” for the company. The new sandwich, available Tuesday, April 28, along with a new side of Mac & Cheese, … Read more
Panera Bread’s latest menu item is drawing backlash online, as employees of the chain are claiming the new item leads to perfectly good bread and extra salad being tossed in the trash. The fast-casual chain’s new Salad Stuffers, which launched April 8, are marketed as “a bread bowl for your salad.” But workers posting on Reddit claim … Read more
Talk about a Goofy price tag. Disneyland’s fine dining crown jewel, Napa Rose, is under fire from a disgruntled diner who claims the upscale eatery is serving up “mid” food despite charging a king’s ransom. The guest took to Reddit a few days ago to warn fellow Disney diners to “avoid” the Grand Californian Hotel’s … Read more
Another business in California’s wine country is shuttering operations, one of many closures sweeping through the Napa Valley area as the wine industry faces pressure. Petaluma-based Barber Cellars announced recently that it’s closing its downtown tasting room and cheese shop on June 5, citing “the financial struggles and headwinds of the current wine and tourism … Read more
If you’re looking for the Upside Down, head to McDonald’s. McDonald’s and Netflix have teamed up to launch a “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” Happy Meal, inspired by the new animated series that dropped on April 23. The new Happy Meal gives fans a taste of the other side without the fear of Demogorgons, and … Read more
These are some game-winning bites. Kellanova — previously known as cereal behemoth Kellogg — is kicking off the summer of 2026 World Cup soccer with six new, limited-time twists on popular snacks in partnership with the US Soccer Federation (USSF). Inspired by American team spirit, the new lineup is built for shared moments with the … Read more
An iconic Los Angeles brewery held its last event Sunday as it closes down, the latest in a string of closures affecting the city’s night life. Angel City Brewery in the downtown art district shuttered its operations with a send off, after 13 years in the district and around three decades in the city. The … Read more
An apple a day keeps the doctor away — or so we thought. New research from the University of Southern California suggests young non-smokers with fruit- and veggie-packed diets may face a higher lung cancer risk than those with less healthy habits. “These counter-intuitive findings raise important questions about an unknown environmental risk factor for … Read more
A major expansion of a popular food stand at Disneyland Park is underway as officials look to keep up with surging demand for some of the park’s most viral menu items. The Fantasyland eatery has long drawn heavy crowds, with guests lining up for items like jumbo smoked turkey legs and garlic cheesy brats, which … Read more
In an era when in-person shopping is precarious, grocery shopping remains best experienced in real time. ALDI is capitalizing on this by rolling out a new shopping experience for customers. The German grocery chain has partnered with Australian design firm Landini Associates, a collaboration 14 years in the making. Together, they aim to transform the … Read more