Better tone in Manhattan and the burbs --- is it really spring

Beginning in October and through most of the winter the on the ground, gut feel, gauge of economic health just felt terrible. From diners to ethnics, to the bistros, to the pricy, the restaurant scene had a diminished, in some cases devastated, look except for those few in any category that are just bulletproof due to fame or service or location or, how could I forget, food. I say literally "gut" feel because this is an economic observance based on food in an area where, for many people, if they are not eating at a restaurant odds are fifty/fifty that they're getting take-out. Now, things are looking up.

Is it just the change of season, or is it that the economic shock and awe of October and November that had everyone running for cover has been put into perspective, or better yet are the majority of U.S. consumers who have not lost their jobs, have not been completely demolished by equity losses, have not been taken in by subprime loans or overextended themselves on credit card debt, all of these, have decided that life goes on.

Whatever the reason, activity has picked up visibly. Marginal ideas, locations, and food that would have survived two years ago are still going down, and out, but the good restaurant businesses are on an uptick, at least for now.

While the supposedly venerable lipstick test is still negative, the eyes on restaurants is taking a positive turn. Time for dinner - take-out to be picked up.