For two decades, Gramercy Tavern has been the darling of modern American restaurants in New York, respected for its ongoing commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients and for continually pushing to discover and innovate. At the helm of the restaurant for the last 8 years and no stranger to restaurant enthusiasts in New York and beyond, is Executive Chef Michael Anthony. Anthony, a thoughtful, cerebral chef with a cultured approach came to Gramercy Tavern via Tokyo, Paris and then New York where he gained valuable experience at revered restaurants such as Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Daniel.
Rather serendipitously, Anthony came to his now business partner Danny Meyer (CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group) looking for advice on a business plan for his own restaurant, which he says looked a lot like Gramercy Tavern, only much smaller. When Meyer came back to him with an offer to take the wheel at Gramercy Tavern, Anthony knew almost immediately that working alongside a partner with Meyer’s “rare kindness and a special staff-first philosophy that resonates so well”, there could only be one decision. 8 Years later, Anthony knows that he made the right choice to join this timeless restaurant so beloved by himself, his staff and its customers.
To get deeper into Chef Anthony’s reflective, highly considered culinary mind, Forbes met with him to discuss the ins and outs of staying relevant in the New York restaurant scene, the impact that living and travelling abroad has made on his cooking and his overall enjoyment of food and finally his favorite go-to restaurants in NYC and Tokyo.
CHEF MICHAEL ANTHONY’S TOP 5 NYC RESTAURANTS
Marta
Chef Nick Anderer, one of my old colleague’s new restaurants – he is all about Roman style pizza but he’s also making so many other delicious and light creations in his kitchen.
http://martamanhattan.com/
Martha Washington hotel, 29 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016
(212) 651-3800
Battersby
You won’t find food that is better cooked than at Battersby. Joe and Walker who are the chefs and partners of the restaurant are creating excellent, low-key, contemporary American food.
255 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 852-8321
Charlie Bird
Charlie Bird is one of the best for casual dining – the food is excellent and so is the environment they’ve created using casual contemporary music.
http://charliebirdnyc.com/
5 King St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 235-7133
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