NYC Restaurants: A Sweet Summertime Roundup Of Food News

NEW YORK CITY — A beloved ice cream shop reopened, workers called the shots at their bar and more tasty food news tickled New Yorkers' taste buds this past week.

Summer officially kicked off in New York City, and its culinary cornucopia yet again rose to meet appetites.

And Patch's fun-sized newsroom was there to dole out sweet little morsels to our dear reads.

Check out our weekly food news roundup, and come back next week for more.

Ample Hills ice cream is back, and ooeyer and gooeyer than ever.

The Brooklyn-based chain owners reopened their Prospect Heights location this past week. The store's resurgence comes after bankruptcy and closures.

"It's really humbling to experience people's belief in the brand and in us to come back," one owner told Patch.

• Ooeyer, Gooeyer, And Better Than Ever: Brooklyn's Ample Hills Is Back

Another reopened New York City establishment has its own twist: its workers call the shots.

Donna is a worker-owned cocktail bar that recently set up shop in the West Village.

The workers didn't buy Donna because they hated their former boss — he's still working as a sort-of advisor for them — but they hope their efforts will make the industry more sustainable for all.

"In the hospitality industry, a lot of businesses never extend hospitality to their own workers," said bar manager Kitty Bernardo, Donna's first hired employee.

In other bright food news, a Crown Heights artist is making Skittles snackers really taste the rainbow.

Shanée Benjamin has designed a Pride Month-themed Skittles wrapper.

"Growing up eating Skittles, now I'm making a pack — that is like the coolest thing ever for me," she said.

Two Midtown restaurants — Atomix and Le Bernardin — snagged a prestigious honor: they're the only two U.S. spots to a list of the 50 best eateries in the world.

And New Yorkers (real ones, anyway) are never too hoity-toity to enjoy a good cheap eat.

Two Washington Heights eateries — Calle 191 Pescaderia and Native Noodles — made a recent Eater NY list of "40 Inexpensive Dining Destinations." As did Harlem's Jerk House.

• How Workers Call The Shots At This West Village Bar
• Crown Heights Artist Designs Pride Month Skittles Pack
• Midtown Eateries Are Only 2 U.S. Spots To Make '50 Best' List
• 2 Wash Heights Eateries Named Among Best Cheap Eats In NYC
• Harlem Restaurant Named Among Best Cheap Eats In NYC

The ebb and flow of restaurants opening and closing in the city continued this past week.

A disco-themed sushi restaurant — Sushi by Boū — opened in Astoria recently.

But a Greek supermarket called Titan Foods in Astoria also closed recently, although its owners plan to relocate nearby.

Likewise, the historic The Clinton restaurant in Whitestone, Queens announced plans to shutter after more than 80 years in business.

Across town, the New Parisian Deli on the Upper West Side closed. But a few blocks away, the now near-ubiquitous Blank Street Coffee opened a new shop.

In Brooklyn, Four & Twenty Blackbirds' pie counter and bar on Dean Street permanently closed recently, although the bakery's main Gowanus location remains open. And the former James restaurant nearby in Prospect Heights was taken over by Gertrude's, a new spot offering up a raw bar, chicken, salads, latkes and more.

And finally, one restaurant was ordered closed by city health inspectors.

• Disco Sushi Experience Opens In Astoria, Sets Second Venue In Queens
• Greek Supermarket In Astoria Shutters, Plans To Relocate Nearby
• Historic Restaurant In Whitestone Closes After More Than 80 Years
• Longtime UWS Deli Closes As Blank Street Coffee Opens Nearby
  
• Prospect Heights Pie Outpost Closes, Gertrude's Opens
• NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed June 16-23