HELL’S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) — A popular restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen has been cooking without gas for over a month – and they have been getting by, but it is starting to get more difficult.<\/p>\n
Sesamo is Italian with an Asian twist, but for the past six weeks, they have had to slim down the menu and pivot to a pre fixe format after a routine Con Edison inspection found a gas leak. Their landlord fixed that within days, but they were then told there is not enough gas for the restaurant and the eight apartments above it – so the gas has not been turned back on.<\/p>\n
“A lot of stress and dedication I’d say,” said Co-Owner and Chef Nikita Levitan.<\/p>\n
Sesamo used to have 16 burners to feed 140 customers – now they are just using three hot plates.<\/p>\n
Revenue, meanwhile, has taken a hit.<\/p>\n
Sabrina Gao is the chef’s wife and co-owner and also the restaurant’s sommelier.<\/p>\n
“It’s our life savings. We started our American dream. And we started up after Covid so you know that was a challenge and then we finally overcame that. And then building this so you know all sorts of price increases, labor cost, everything going up. All those challenges, we overcame one after another, we build a really good community here, people love our food. We finally were growing right, and then this boom, like a big punch in the gut,” Gao said.<\/p>\n
She says the landlord’s plumber says he is waiting on Con Ed to tell him what the utility needs from him.<\/p>\n
Con Ed says it is waiting to hear from the plumber. A meeting is set for Tuesday to help clear up the confusion.<\/p>\n
“We’re doing our best to survive. It’s been very challenging for sure,” Gao adds.<\/p>\n
———- Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News<\/p>\n
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a>
* More Manhattan news<\/a>
* Send us a news tip<\/a>
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a>
* Follow us on YouTube<\/a>
<\/p>\n