Laura Ratliff

The restaurant that redefined “fine dining” by fermenting ants and serving moss is packing its knives and flying into L.A. René Redzepi’s legendary Noma, the three-Michelin-starred Copenhagen icon once crowned World’s Best Restaurant five times over, is coming to town for a months-long pop-up in 2026. The official teaser dropped today with a moody montage of citrus, mushrooms and the Hollywood sign, promising “Noma LA 2026” and inviting fans to sign up for reservations. Cue mass hysteria. While details are still under wraps (price tag TBD but likely sky-high), we know this won’t be your average tasting menu. Noma residencies are less “imported restaurant” and more full-blown cultural immersion. Redzepi’s team—which includes foragers, fermentation wizards and globe-trotting chefs—has previously decamped to Kyoto, Tulum, Brooklyn and Sydney. L.A. has been on his radar for years. Now, it’s official. “We’ve been working on America for a while,” Redzepi told the Los Angeles Times, noting that he fell for the city after a laid-back stint in Manhattan Beach with his family. Farmers markets, taco crawls with Roy Choi, Thai feasts with the Night + Market crew—it all sealed the deal. “There’s a creative energy I find in Los Angeles that is based on this grassroots experience, not on money,” he said. “It’s actually more rare than you think in food these days.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by noma (@nomacph) The plan? Five to six months of pop-

New Yorkers, get ready to ooh and aah—this year’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show is about to be more accessible than ever. Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday that the city is giving away 100,000 free tickets to prime viewing spots along the East River, offering residents front-row access to the most iconic pyrotechnic display in the country. RECOMMENDED: The best 4th of July events in NYC for 2025 The free tickets—10 times the number offered last year—will grant access to two key viewing locations: Brooklyn Bridge Park and the South Street Seaport’s Pier 16 and Pier 17. They’ll be available starting today, on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person can request up to four tickets for Brooklyn or two for Manhattan. Adams called the giveaway part of his administration’s effort to make the celebration inclusive, especially as the city marks its 400th anniversary this year and gears up for the nation’s 250th next year. If you’re eager to lock down your spot early, there’s a shortcut: text “FIREWORKS” to 917-909-2288. The first 2,500 texters will receive four tickets each to Brooklyn Bridge Park ahead of the general release. This is the second year the city has offered free tickets to the show, a move spurred by past criticism that major sections of the East River waterfront were blocked off for private events or law enforcement insiders, leaving everyday New Yorkers stuck behind barricades. This time, the city says it’s making good on its promise to open up the experience.

It’s official—New York’s rent-stabilized tenants are getting hit with another rent hike. In a 5–4 vote Monday night, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board approved increases of 3-percent for one-year leases and 4.5-percent for two-year leases, impacting over one million apartments across the five boroughs starting Oct. 1. That’s roughly 2 million residents who’ll be digging deeper into their wallets this fall. The annual vote, always a flashpoint in the city’s affordability crisis, drew fierce protests from tenants and housing advocates, who packed the meeting at El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem chanting “Freeze the rent!” Mayor Eric Adams, who appointed the board members, had urged more modest increases (1.75-percent and 3.75-percent), but tenant advocates say even that would have been too much. Adams’ mayoral rival Zohran Mamdani—fresh off a lead in the Democratic primary—blasted the hike as yet another example of the mayor “placating real estate donors” and doubled down on his campaign promise to freeze rents if elected. Even landlords weren’t pleased. While tenant reps on the board voted no because the increase was too high, landlord reps also voted no, because it wasn’t high enough to offset skyrocketing insurance and maintenance costs. City Comptroller Brad Lander called the increase “unaffordable” and the Legal Aid Society warned it would deepen homelessness and displacement. For stabilized renters, whose average rent hovers around $1,500 (compared to $2,000 for market-rate

According to a new WalletHub study ranking the best- and worst-run cities in the U.S., the Big Apple landed a less-than-apple-pie-sweet 145th out of 148 cities. That’s right: Despite its cultural clout and global stature, New York City is officially one of the least efficiently run cities in the country. The study analyzed 36 key metrics—from public safety and health to infrastructure and education—and then weighed those against each city’s per-capita budget. While New York fared decently in many service categories (16th in health, 21st in education and 24th in infrastructure and pollution), it fell hard on financial efficiency. Thanks to its famously bloated budget—the second-highest per capita in the country—New York's ranking plunged, earning it a spot just above Philadelphia, Oakland, Detroit and dead-last San Francisco. Here’s the kicker: New York actually ranks 23rd in quality of services. Not bad, right? But WalletHub’s methodology compares that service score against spending and Gotham’s staggering costs knocked it more than 120 spots down the leaderboard. In short: great services, terrible value. “The best‑run cities in America use their budgets most effectively to provide high‑quality financial security, education, health, safety and transportation to their residents,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. To put it in perspective, Provo, Utah—ranked No. 1 overall—came in 5th for service quality and 2nd for budget efficiency. That’s a city with clean streets, rising inc

If you’re planning to watch fireworks light up the sky over Lake Michigan on the Fourth of July, we’ve got some news that might fizzle your sparkler. Despite being the country’s third-largest city, Chicago will not host an official fireworks show on Friday, July 4 this year. That’s right: no pyrotechnic finale over Navy Pier, no synchronized booms echoing down Michigan Avenue. But don’t worry, it’s not a fluke and it’s not new. Navy Pier never does fireworks on July 4 unless it lands on a Wednesday or Saturday, because that’s when they always do fireworks. The free summer fireworks series has followed a Wednesday and Saturday cadence for years, and this summer is no different. That means: Yes to fireworks on Wednesday, July 2 at 9 p.m. and to an extended, extra-patriotic show on Saturday, July 5 at 10 p.m., but no to Friday, July 4. Why the holdout? The city of Chicago stopped hosting its own official July 4 fireworks show downtown years ago, citing logistical challenges and budgetary priorities. According to the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, this has been the case “for several years.” Instead, Navy Pier carries the torch (and the fuses) with regular summer displays that just happen to land near Independence Day. Saturday’s show, which will last 15 minutes instead of the usual 10, will feature a soundtrack of patriotic hits and is being billed as an “Independence Celebration” show in partnership with Choose Chicago and the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

If you’ve ever looked around your LIRR train car and thought, “This belongs in a museum”—good news. The MTA is finally trading up. Last week, the agency approved a $2.3 billion purchase of 316 brand-new commuter railcars: 160 destined for the Long Island Rail Road, 156 headed to Metro-North. And while the timeline for delivery stretches to 2032, the order marks a major step toward modernizing a fleet that, in some cases, dates back to the Reagan era. That’s right: Some of the clunky, steel beasts still trundling through Queens and Nassau County were brought out of retirement just to cover service gaps when Grand Central Madison finally opened in 2023. But relief is on the horizon—albeit a distant one. Dubbed M-9As, the new cars will feature upgrades both practical and posh: USB charging ports, glass windows, accessibility improvements like automatic bathroom doors and a design based on current reliable models. They’ll be built by Alstom in upstate New York, bringing hundreds of jobs with them and hopefully shaving off the kinds of delays that have plagued MTA capital projects for decades. Photograph: Courtesy of MTA Photograph: Courtesy of MTA “New Yorkers deserve a fast, reliable and comfortable transit system,” said Governor Kathy Hochul, who announced the approval alongside MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This is how we continue to achieve record on-time performance.” That system has been a long time coming. The Grand Central Madison project, which began back in 1969

As fireworks stands pop up across the tri-state and red, white and blue takes over bodegas and bagel shops, one question lingers: Just how patriotic is New York? Spoiler alert—per a new study, it’s not. In fact, it’s nearly dead last. According to a new report from WalletHub that ranks all 50 states by patriotism, New York landed at an unimpressive 49th place. Only Arkansas scored lower. The study crunched data from 13 metrics, including military enlistment, veteran population, voting rates and community volunteerism. Turns out, for all our skyline views and Lady Liberty pride, New Yorkers aren’t exactly flag-waving overachievers. Start with military service: New York has the fewest veterans per capita in the country—three times fewer than Alaska, the leader in that category. And while we may show up to protest with flair (see: anti-Trump flag art and marches in Washington Square Park), civic engagement doesn’t exactly run deep. The state ranked 44th in voter turnout for the 2024 presidential election. Even more sobering: New York came in last in voter turnout and near the bottom in overall civic engagement, a category that includes volunteering and jury service. While places like Virginia (No. 1 overall) and Montana (No. 2) boasted high civic participation and, in Virginia’s case, strong military ties as well, New York lagged behind across the board. Virginia, in particular, earned its top spot thanks to a potent combo of military infrastructure (hello, Pentagon) and strong

Fire up the grill and double-check your shopping list—because nothing says “Happy Birthday, America” like a mad dash to the store for last-minute hot dog buns, red Solo cups or that one bottle of ketchup someone swore they brought.  If you’re wondering whether your go-to store will be open on the Fourth of July, you’re in good company. The short answer: You’ll have plenty of options, but it's best to check the hours first. Will Walmart, Target and other major retailers be open on July 4th?  Firstly, here’s what will be open: Major retailers like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl’s and CVS will be keeping their doors open on Friday, July 4, mainly operating at their regular hours. Grocery chains including Publix, Albertsons and Kroger are also keeping the lights on, though some, like Trader Joe’s and Aldi, will close early (5 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively). Hardware hubs like Home Depot and Lowe’s are open but may close earlier than usual, so check in with your respective closest location before setting off on your shopping excursion. Pet owners are also covered: Petco and PetSmart will be open with limited hours, so Fido can still get his calming treats before the fireworks start. Will Costco and Sam's Club be open on July 4th?  Big-box clubs are more particular: Sam’s Club will close at 6 p.m., and BJ’s is open regular hours. Costco, however, is one of the few giants not open—mark it down and plan ahead. Will McDonald's and other chain restaurants be open on July 4th? If you’r

Brace yourselves, Greenpoint faithful: The “Summer of G” is back—and not in a fun, alphabet-themed beach towel kind of way. Starting July 14 through Aug. 18, the G train will once again ghost riders between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand Avenues on select weeknights and weekends. It’s all part of the MTA’s ongoing effort to drag the line’s Depression-era signals into the 21st century (1930s tech may be vintage-cool in fashion, but less so when you're stuck waiting in a dark tunnel). There will be no G service between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand from 9:45 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the following weeknights: July 14–18, July 24–25, Aug. 4–8 and Aug. 11–15. Weekend closures run from 9:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday on July 25–28, August 1–4, Aug. 8–11 and Aug. 15–18. If your summer social calendar includes Williamsburg dive bars or a late-night taqueria run in Fort Greene, plan to pivot. The MTA is deploying fare-free shuttle buses that will stop at every affected station, running every 3–4 minutes overnight and every 5–10 minutes on weekends. G service will still operate south of Bedford-Nostrand down to Church Avenue. It’s all part of a $368 million signal modernization project that’s installing CBTC (communications-based train control), which promises faster, more reliable trains once complete in 2027. This is the fourth phase of outages following last summer’s sweeping shutdowns, which came with a few silver linings: 10 stations got deep-cleaned, lighting and tile upgrades

Queens’ bus network is about to hit refresh. Starting Sunday, June 29, the MTA is rolling out the first phase of its long-awaited Queens Bus Network Redesign, a complete overhaul that will touch all but three of the borough’s bus routes. The changes aim to simplify service, improve frequency and better connect riders to subways and key destinations across the city. It’s the first comprehensive revamp in decades and if you’re one of the nearly 1 million daily bus riders in the borough, your commute is about to change. “Queens is the bus borough,” said MTA Chairman Janno Lieber at a press conference. “In Queens, there are 800,000 daily bus customers. They need fast and frequent service, and they are going to get it with this redesign.” The redesign introduces 124 total routes—94 local and 30 express—up from the current 113. That includes 14 brand-new routes debuting Sunday and a fresh class of “Rush” routes designed to shuttle commuters more quickly to subway and rail hubs. Six current routes will be discontinued and another (Q21) will phase out in August when the second part of the plan goes into effect. Among the headline perks: An estimated 124,000 more people will now live within a quarter mile of a bus arriving every 10 minutes or less during daytime hours and 68,000 more residents will gain access to 24/7 bus service. Sunday’s changes largely focus on eastern Queens and Ridgewood, with western Queens seeing shifts in Phase 2 on Aug. 31. The MTA has launched an arsenal of

The team behind Carbone is stepping up to the plate in Queens. Major Food Group (Torrisi, The Grill, Sadelle's) has signed on to operate a slate of restaurants and bars within the forthcoming Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at Metropolitan Park, an $8 billion mega-development slated to rise near Citi Field by 2030. While MFG won’t operate every eatery on the property, its involvement is a strong signal that this won’t be your average food court casino. Expect a stylish blend of fine dining and high-end casual concepts, with menus that reflect Queens’ rich culinary heritage—and a personal connection, too. Co-founder and chef Mario Carbone hails from the borough. RECOMMENDED: A24's new theater will feature food from one of NYC's hottest restaurant groups The move is part of a broader, international partnership between Major Food Group and Hard Rock International, formalized in early 2024. Under the deal, MFG serves as culinary advisor across Hard Rock’s portfolio, including properties in Hollywood, Tampa, Atlantic City and upcoming outposts in Athens and Barcelona. The team even staged a Carbone residency at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood in Florida last December. “This is a truly unique opportunity,” said MFG co-founder Jeff Zalaznick in a press release announcing the partnership last year, “to bring MFG’s deep expertise and innovation together with a hotel and casino leader to provide incredible food and beverage experiences for Hard Rock guests at locations both here and abroad.” M

Rise and shine, swimmers: Adult lap swim is finally back in New York, and it’s ready to make waves. After a five-year, pandemic-induced pause, the city’s beloved early morning swim program is resurfacing at public pools starting July 7. But before you grab your goggles and cap, there’s a small catch: It’s only happening at five locations across the five boroughs. From 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, adult swimmers can take to the lanes at Van Cortlandt Pool (Bronx), Kosciuszko Pool (Brooklyn), Hamilton Fish Park Pool (Manhattan), Astoria Pool (Queens) and Lyons Pool (Staten Island). The program—once a summertime ritual for fitness junkies, retirees and early birds alike—had been suspended since 2020, citing staffing shortages. This summer marks its splashy return. “This is a very important community program,” said Emily Chase, assistant commissioner for public programs at NYC Parks, at a kickoff event Thursday. “It’s a great place to meet people and be part of an amazing, diverse New York City community.” Before the pandemic, lap swim was offered citywide with “Early Bird” and “Night Owl” sessions. Now, it’s back, but still in a limited lane due to a lack of lifeguards. Though the city now boasts 680 certified guards—10% more than last year—it’s still less than half of the 1,400 employed in 2019. Certification continues through July, so officials are hopeful more pools may dive in later this summer. Still, the revival is making a splash with locals. Sw