Savoring The Freedom To Eat And Drink While Enjoying The New York Skyline – Forbes

Worth waiting for--rendering of Clinton Hall

Out of the confiningand, yes, scarymonths we have stayed at home, avoided crowds, not eaten out, some folks have been busy creating a dining and brewing experience that will be the new normal when things are back to normal.

It will take place at one of New Yorks newestand most interestingtourist attractions: Empire Outlets Mall on Staten Island. It is the citys only discount mall, and lots of fun just to get to. For the (free) Staten Island ferry lands only yards from the mall.

The new experience is the Clinton Hall Beer Garden, and youll not be surprised that it serves a variety of craft beersalong with a scrumptious variety of burgers and other bar classics.

But when New York is ready to open, many restaurants will be scrambling to keep up with the new regulations on distancing and other health-related matters. The crafty thinkers behind Clinton Hall have virtually become experts at what their establishment will do:

*Temperature checks of staffand guests.

*Servers wearing masks.

*Patrons seated six feet apart.

*Enforcing limited capacity.

*Disposable menus!

So when were able to go to Clinton Hall, it will be ready, observing all the new rules, for as long as it takes. In fact, the complete mall is also ready to observe all the various rules that will make it a safe environment. Beyond the safety, though, is the malls huge presenceallowing you to feel free and unconfined, while keeping what has become known as social distancing.

Staten Island rarely has been termed an oasisbut the Mall has almost four acres of outdoor space.

Clinton Hall describes itself asa Supercraft beer hallthat is, each brew is served to thebrewers demanding specs.

The Empire Outlets Mall overlooking NYC

In its opening in 2019, the Staten Island Mall was one of the best hidden assets in New York, but one I enthusiastically endorsed to friends, family and readers. And now, when things open up, it will become an even more important part of the New York scenea counterpoint to the smothering lifestyle weve been forced to endure. People will experience freedom and openness, and I think this will be the perfect solution.

There is, first of all, the ferry ride. No cramped subways or buses or standing. No worries about being close to one another, even after the distancing restrictions are lifted. The ferries are huge and also afford views of the Statue of Liberty and the famed New York City skyline.

Once on the island, you have to walk about the equivalent of a short home run to wind up at the mall.

It is huge, by any standards: 350,000 square feet. Yet, strangely, it also has a feeling of intimacy. You are not overwhelmed. The open space is a major reason, and from cleverly located viewing areas you can see great views of the Big Apple.

The outlets run the gamut of department storesincluding Nordstrom Rack, Levis Outlet Store, American Eagle, and U.S. Polo Assn. Nordstrom Rack is the flagship store.

And there are many places to eatall in their own special area

Getting There Is Half The Fun

Clinton Hall will be opening in two phasesfirst an outdoor space, then an even larger indoor restaurant. It will haveget thisalmost 24 kinds of draft choices. One of them, Flagship Brewery, boasts an on-site Flux Capacitor making sure every pour is perfect.Hungry? Get lucky with the Double Smashed Burger, and finish dessert with the curiously named WTF Waffles. And while youre munching, you can enjoy a variety of games found only in the best beer bars.

Soon to join Clinton Hall will be such establishments as MRKTPL, an artisanal food hall; an upscale sushi and hibachi restaurant named Wasabi, and Bake Culture, a Taiwanese bakery. They will join a food court that includes Shake Shack and Starbucks.

It will go a long way to make up for those months of home-confinement and being creative with Fruit Loops.

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Savoring The Freedom To Eat And Drink While Enjoying The New York Skyline - Forbes