Beloved East Harlem Restaurant Closing Amid Rising Business Costs

EAST HARLEM, NY — Contento, the restaurant that made waves when it opened in 2021 with its West African, Caribbean, and soul food influences in East Harlem, announced it will be serving dinner for the last time on Dec. 21.

The restaurant — which was praised for its accessibility as well as its menu, which was featured in the New York Times 100 Best Restaurants list and the Michelin guide — announced its impending closure on Instagram on Wednesday.

"Since opening in June 2021, Contento has been more than a restaurant—it’s been a space of inclusivity, community, and connection," the restaurant posted in the caption of its Instagram post about the closure.

"However, due to rising costs, external pressures, and the challenges of the pandemic, we’ve made the difficult decision to close."

Yannick Benjamin, the restaurant's owner, said in a separate Instagram post that the past year of financial hardship is forcing Contento's doors closed.

"Rising crime forced us to hire full-time security. I took on side jobs just to afford health insurance — an essential for someone living with paralysis," Benjamin wrote.

"Despite our team’s tireless efforts, inflation, safety concerns, and declining numbers proved insurmountable."

Contento is located at 88 East 111th St.

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