HELL’S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) — A restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen that has been cooking without gas for five months is turning to their community for help as it tries to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
Chef and co-owner Nikita Levitan says stress continues to mount at Sesamo in Hell’s Kitchen, where the restaurant remains without gas service months after the issue first surfaced<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Italian restaurant known for its Asian-inspired twist and hand-made pasta has been operating without gas since at least April.<\/p>\n To keep the business running, Levitan has shifted to a reduced menu and relies on electric hot plates for cooking.<\/p>\n “It’s been stressful,” Levitan said.<\/p>\n Without gas service, the restaurant has been unable to offer its seasonal menu. Four months after the problem began, Levitan said the business is generating about 40% less revenue and is struggling to stay afloat.<\/p>\n “After already spending all of my life savings to open this place to begin with,” Levitan said.<\/p>\n The owners say community support has helped sustain the restaurant through the ongoing disruption. A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $20,000 in two weeks.<\/p>\n “I have people actually coming here handing me cash to me because they didn’t trust GoFundMe,” said Sabrina Gao, sommelier and co-owner.<\/p>\n The co-owners said they remain in a dispute with their landlord over repairs needed to restore gas service.<\/p>\n In a statement, Sunnyside Properties Chief Administrative Officer said: “My priority has always been to restore gas service safely, lawfully, and as quickly as possible… This matter is actively being resolved… both parties have been engaged in ongoing negotiations.”<\/p>\n Gao said the owners do not want to leave the neighborhood they have helped build.<\/p>\n “We didn’t want to just move to a new neighborhood because we built such a great community,” Gao said.<\/p>\n Gao added that relocating the restaurant would require a significant investment as negotiations and efforts to restore gas service continue.<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * More Manhattan news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts on the go<\/a> <\/p>\n * Download our connected TV app<\/a> <\/p>\n
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