For the past 20 years, theater district restaurants Bouillon Marseille and Nizza have been the home of many actors for pre- and post-performances meals. Now, as the theater industry faces unprecedented and continued closures due to Covid-19, the restaurants' partners want ensure that the arts community stays well fed. Starting Monday October 12th, all Actor's Equity members are invited to eat now, and pay later (if they can) at Bouillon Marseille and Nizza.
Partners Simon Oren, Chef Andy D'Amico, and Robert Guarino explain their effort is about paying it forward—about feeding the community that has fed them all these years. Actors Equity members are invited every night from 9pm to eat for free (not including drinks and gratuity) at their bistro Bouillon Marseille and Italian inspired Nizza both located at 630 Ninth Avenue (44 Street).
The restaurant will keep a house account for each person who dines, and when the theater returns to New York, and actors start working again, the amount owed can be paid off as slowly or quickly as possible, if at all.
"My partners and I wanted to come up with a way to say thank you to the actors who have done so much for us over the years," said Robert Guarino, partner Bouillon Marseille and Nizza. "Spending the last 20 years in Hell's Kitchen we are so grateful for the Broadway community and everything they have done for our neighborhood and our business. If anyone is suffering more than the restaurant community right now, it has to be the actors. We want them to feel appreciated and to be able to enjoy a good meal as we all patiently wait for Broadway's triumphant return!"