TEN years ago, with the rubble of the World Trade Centre still smouldering away after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, prospective visitors to New York wondered whether they should put off their trips, or keep a respectful distance.

FROM steaks to sushi to gallons of melting ice cream, restaurants, delis and bodegas around the city tossed out hundreds of pounds of perishable food just hours after the blackout zapped the Fried Apple.