By Kim Velsey 10/15/12 4:40pm

Dining Difficulties

The U.S. Attorney's office claims that not everyone can enjoy the food at Rosa Mexicana. (mlaca005.wordpress.com)

The Food Is Great, But How’s the Accessibility? Feds File Suit Against Rosa Mexicano For ADA Violations

Rosa Mexicana is a favorite of New Yorkers hungry for upscale guacamole and well-mixed margaritas, but the restaurant has not been sitting well with the U.S. Attorney’s office, which has filed suit against the popular eatery for non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The restaurant is the first “most popular” Zagat pick to be sued for ADA non-compliance after the U.S. Attorney’s office launched an initiative targeting the guide’s 50 most beloved eateries last year. In its 2012 guide, Zagat called the restaurant, which has three Manhattan locations, a “jumping” joint that “gets it right” with “flavorful” food and “personable service.” But the feds claim that the restaurants’ entrances, waiting areas, dining rooms, bars and bathrooms get it wrong, blocking disabled diners from enjoying the hot spot’s South of the Border cuisine. Read More

By Matt Chaban 9/26/12 11:07am

Planes Trains & Automobiles

Show me the money. (MTA)

At Opening of Bleecker Street Subway Transfer, a Gentle Reminder the MTA Is Kinda Broke

After years of construction, and many more years before that of planning and debate, the uptown connection between the 6-Train and the Sixth Avenue line finally opened yesterday at Bleecker Street. “50 years ago, we have three different subway systems and there was very few connections between all of them,” MTA chairman and CEO Joe Lhota said. “Our goal is to make the system more connective. It takes time, and it takes money, but we’re getting there.”

Mr. Lhota, wearing a red tie printed with fanciful gray trees and elephants, stood beneath the bright, color-shifting tube lights that make up Leo Villareal’s Hive installation. The honeycomb-shaped light show serves as a dynamic signpost for the new stairs and escalator that are an integral part of this new connection. In addition to connectivity, the station transformation is all about accessibility.

But there would be no uptown connection, no wheelchair-friendly elevators, without money, and more than anything, that was what Joe Lhota and his cohort really wanted to talk about on this day. Read More