10 Gorgeous, Empty NYC Restaurants

Usually when we amble into any of the hundreds of thousands of eateries in our fair City and find it completely empty, we follow proper New York protocol by spinning on our heels and walking right back out the door. After all, who wants to eat anywhere that's not already overcrowded? A gorgeous photoessay by Dutch native and New York transplant Wijnanda Deroo, however, has made fine art of off hours at culinary landmarks like 21 Club, Jerry's, or The Russian Tea Room. Deroo's exhibition, "Inside New York Eateries", is now on display at the Robert Mann Gallery through the 29th. To get a glance into Deroo's process, check out The Morning News; They have a sit-down with the artist, who believes the interior of Papaya Dog deserves the same treatment as The River Room (damn straight). A Bonus for sentimental foodies: Deroo also captured views of since-closed NYC favorites Relish and Tavern on The Green. Ah, memories.