Eat This New York
Eat This New York
NR | 30 January 2004 (USA)
Eat This New York Trailers

Eat This New York is the story of two best friends' struggle to open a restaurant in the food capital of the world. As Billy Phelps and John McCormick suffer through financial crisis, the loss of their chef, and a crumbling relationship, the filmmakers turn the camera on New York City's legendary restaurateurs who prove that dreams can come true. Billy and John's gamble to open a restaurant together takes shape on Division Street, a unique block in Brooklyn that separates the Satmar Jewish community of Williamsburg from the Latino neighborhood of the South Side. During the course of a year, they convert a former check-cashing shop located under the elevated train tracks of the J/M/Z subway lines into a retro speakeasy. But before the restaurant is fully built they come close to bankruptcy and almost call it quits on their friendship.

Reviews
peterlohrnyc

The best film on the restaurant business I've seen.The film goes behind the scenes to follow the dramatic struggle and eventual triumph of two friends who decide to open in the toughest restaurant city in the world. The director subtly weaves in hard facts and the perspective of New York and industry insiders (celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, critics) to help explain the real reasons why restaurants succeed or fail and always returns to the story of the underdogs trying to build a little restaurant of their own so that you can actually see for yourself. You root for the guys from the start. Funny, comprehensive, and great access. Very authentic yet optimistic view of NY and those who follow their passion. Worth it.

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carrie7

SPOILERS!!!!A sadly, interesting film of two every-day Joe's trying to open a restaurant in New York. These scenes of the economic and construction struggle are interspersed with interviews from known, famous chefs like Rocco DiSpirito (before he was emotionally wrecked by the reality TV show) and Ruth Reichl, editor of Gourmet magazine. If you are thinking of starting a restaurant, this is a must-see. The ending of the film is essentially opening day of the restaurant (one is never sure they are going to accomplish it). I would like to have seen a follow-up, say, six months later. Are they still open?In retrospect, the interviews with the celebrity chefs proves to be more interesting than the struggles of the wanna-be's...

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