Hell's Kitchen restaurant still without gas since April as revenue lags
Community support has helped sustain Sesamo through the ongoing disruption
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.
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.
The Italian restaurant known for its Asian-inspired twist and hand-made pasta has been operating without gas since at least April.
To keep the business running, Levitan has shifted to a reduced menu and relies on electric hot plates for cooking.
"It's been stressful," Levitan said.
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.
"After already spending all of my life savings to open this place to begin with," Levitan said.
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.
"I have people actually coming here handing me cash to me because they didn't trust GoFundMe," said Sabrina Gao, sommelier and co-owner.
The co-owners said they remain in a dispute with their landlord over repairs needed to restore gas service.
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."
Gao said the owners do not want to leave the neighborhood they have helped build.
"We didn't want to just move to a new neighborhood because we built such a great community," Gao said.
Gao added that relocating the restaurant would require a significant investment as negotiations and efforts to restore gas service continue.
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