TAKE A LOOK AT OUR LATEST FINDS IN THE CULINARY UNIVERSE.

CHINESE TUXEDO

Eddy Buckingham and Jeff Lam serve up a fresh take on contemporary Chinese cuisine at this historic Doyers Street address, rooted in the traditions of Chinatown, with an eye on what’s next for this essential New York neighborhood.

The bi-level space was once the headquarters for Chinatown’s notorious tong (gang) wars in the early 1900’s and has been restored by Lam and Buckingham, incorporating mid-century touches while retaining historical details such as the original pillars and stripped-down walls. The sunken dining room features 15-foot ceilings and is outfitted with cozy banquettes and Carrera marble tables to further add to the convivial atmosphere.

A sculpture by the artist John Duff, who has lived in the building for decades, hangs over the banquette seating. Since opening in fall 2016, the restaurant has received a glowing two-star review from The New York Times and was named Eater’s Most Gorgeous Restaurant of the Year.

Here, guests can enjoy chef Paul Donnelly’s enticing menu of reimagined traditional and classic Chinese banquet dishes which perfectly showcase Donnelly’s culinary expertise in executing the flavorful, eclectic menu. The restaurant offers a dynamic wine list and selection of Chinese and American craft beers, along with a complex cocktail program featuring traditional Chinese spirits and modern ingredients.

Photo credit: Katherine Lam

ROBIN

In San Francisco, Robin serves up a one-of-a-kind omakase tasting experience with a side of hip-hop. Walking into Robin, guests trust themselves to the very capable skills of Chef Adam Tortosa at this hip, sushi-focused destination.

 Here, no menu is presented and a contemporary, modern take on local omakase is thoughtfully personalized using the most pristine ingredients available

Ranging in price from $89 to $189 , this kitchen’s decadent vision includes elite ingredients like A5 Wagyu beef and caviar. The upscale space is a mix of posh and street cool and the hyper-seasonal omakase menu is served with a side of hip-hop.

Young sushi chefs are the focal point of the room, working fastidiously with tweezers, torches and gel in front of a bright backdrop. A small, carefully curated list of beer, sake and wine pairs nicely with the food while original artwork and craftsmanship add to this one-of-a-kind dining experience.

photography by Albert Law

 

 

ZUMA

Zuma, London’s award-winning restaurant, added its highly anticipated location to Midtown Manhattan back in 2015, making it the ninth outpost in its international collection.

 Founded by acclaimed chef Rainer Becker, Zuma offers contemporary, authentic non-traditional Japanese dining with bold flavors and simple presentation.

Informal izakaya-style dining with gracious service in an elegant space, the restaurant features a main kitchen, sushi counter, and a robata grill that produces dishes designed to be shared.

The aesthetic is inspired by the four elements of earth, fire, water and air, incorporating natural materials and textures but reflecting New York’s vibrant, metropolitan energy and diverse cultures. Its richly detailed design is both a visual and tactile experience.

 

 

TETSU

Renowned chef Masa Takayama’s downtown restaurant, Tetsu, is a modern Japanese robatayaki in New York City’s TriBeCa neighborhood. The name Tetsu means “iron” in Japanese, and this theme is reflected throughout the restaurant’s dramatic urban-inspired design.

 The menu is inspired by Masa’s travels around the world and features an array of fish, meat and vegetable robatayaki dishes along with salads, ceviche, sushi, rice and noodles.

Signatures include tuna butsu guacamole, kale gobo slaw, chili pork sausage skewers, and sushi and sashimi dishes. Tetsu also offers Masa’s first-ever burgers, served up in beef or lamb form. An approachable selection of local beers and wines complements the menu alongside a list of craft cocktails created with regional spirits. 

Downstairs in the space you’ll find an intimate subterranean restaurant called Masa’s Raw Bar, chef Masa’s playground for a rotating kaiseki menu of elaborate proteins such as whole squab, A5 Wagyu beef, ohmi beef roast and whole fish displayed on beds of ice. Chef Masa’s Omakase was honored with Two Michelin Stars for 2019 and an à la carte menu rounds out the offerings.  

 

 

PEACHY’S

NYC’s coolest hangout, Peachy’s, offers holistic craft cocktails and award-winning bites amid funky, retro Asian decor and walls lined in Gucci wallpaper. 

In April 2018, restaurateurs Eddy Buckingham and Jeff Lam opened Peachy’s, a lively cocktail den beneath their ultra-posh restaurant, Chinese Tuxedo. The vibrant setting hosts a popular rotating roster of DJs who spin great tunes while guests enjoy refreshing cocktails, many handcrafted with holistic ingredients, and a menu of enticing bar snacks from Executive Chef Paul Donnelly.

Peachy’s superfood cocktails are split between signature options and elixir cocktails, the latter being concocted with Taoist herbs and ingredients from California-based superfood and holistic health company, SunPotion. The cocktails here are about balance. “The Great Protector,” for example, has cacao-nib-infused mezcal, cashew orgeat, Thai bird chili bitters, and astragalus, a root used in traditional Chinese medicine that reportedly helps boost the immune system. But the food and drink aren’t the only reason you should visit.

The decor is truly spectacular to experience even on its own, and inside, you’ll find an inverted garden of peach blossoms along with hanging lanterns and pink neon signs set against maximalist Gucci wallpaper-adorned walls. Peachy’s certainly leans heavy into the theme of design and doesn’t disappoint with its elegant space, flush with deep red banquettes, delicious food and a great time.

 

 

GITANO

James Gardner transports Tulum to New York City with a dramatic interpretation of his influential restaurant. Inspired by the lush, tropical jungle of Tulum and the Spanish-Colonial architecture of the Yucatan Peninsula, the GITANO Jungle Room, originally concepted in Mexico, has been recreated in New York City by visionary entrepreneur and founder James Gardner.

Located in a subterranean space within The James New York, the restaurant also includes the Jungle Bar & Terraces located one floor above and designed with a similar bohemian, rustic aesthetic. The entrance to the main dining room immediately transports guests to the tropics, with a welcoming one-of-a-kind, 10-foot tall, illuminated crystal palm tree that complements a shimmering disco ball descending from within the 20-foot skylight. A year-round tropical retreat, the restaurant offers a modern take on Mexican and Mayan cuisine, with a menu developed by Michelin-starred Consulting Chef Mads Refslund, in collaboration with Head Chef Yvan Lemoine.

The modern menu offers fresh and flavorful dishes with international influence and is broken down into five categories: Snacks, Small Plates, Large Plates, Sides, and Desserts. Highlights include the Tuna Tostada with avocado, radish and sesame, the Truffle Quesadilla Oaxaca with huitlacoche, gouda and black truffle, and the succulent honey-glazed Lamb Ribs with coriander and lime. Guests also have the option to include a “Taco Add-On” to their order, inclusive of lettuce wraps, fresh herbs, as well as Chef Lemoine’s homemade corn tortillas and hot salsas. The Dessert category includes options ranging from light and tropical to pure decadence. The Coconut Panna Cotta is served in a coconut shell and topped with almond granola and seasonal fruit, and the mini Churros Con Chocolate are served with spiced Mexican dipping chocolate balanced with a side of vanilla ice cream.

Words by Kara Studzinski