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Hospitality Groups
CEO: Jeffrey Bank
For over 32 years, the Alicart family of restaurants has been offering an exciting and unique spectrum of dining concepts. The Legendary Carmine’s Family Style Italian restaurant—with locations in NYC’s Times Square, the original in the Upper West Side, the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, Washington DC’s Penn Quarter, the Atlantis Resort & Casino in the Bahamas and the largest restaurant in Las Vegas at the Forums Shops at Caesars Palace—serves exceptional southern Italian cuisine in abundant portions designed for sharing. Carmine’s sister restaurant is Virgil’s Real BBQ, located in New York City’s Times Square and Upper West Side, Las Vegas at the LINQ Promenade and also in the Atlantis Bahamas. Virgil’s Real Barbecue has been acclaimed as one of America’s top 10 BBQ restaurants, offering a genuine southern home-style experience along with authentic BBQ and American dishes created by their many smokers on premise.
CEO: Jeffrey Bank
Executive Chef: Glenn Rolnick
New York, NY
Nationwide
Carmine's is a family style restaurant offering exceptional value to its guests through the many dishes of Southern Italian cuisine. Restaurateur Artie Cutler crafted Carmine's with a singular vision; bringing his guests “wow-factor” sized portions and making any meal feel like an Italian American wedding feast.
CEO: Jeffrey Bank
Nationwide
Carmine's Family Style Italian Restaurant in New York City has been making delicious sauces from scratch since 1990. After 33 years and much demand, they are now bringing their beloved sauces to your home. Homemade in small batches and made with love, Carmine's want every day to feel like a Sunday afternoon at Grandma's house.
CEO: Jeffrey Bank
Executive Chef: Glenn Rolnick
New York, NY
Nationwide
Virgil's Real Barbecue has been acclaimed as one of America's top 10 BBQ restaurants and was established in 1994. Virgil's meats are smoked at a low temperature over indirect heat for up to 10 hours with a unique mix of hickory, oak and fruit woods that impart maximum flavor. Virgil's is located in New York City, Las Vegas, and at the Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Owner: Simon Oren
Beverage Director: Aviram Turgeman
At Chef Driven Hospitality, they blend innovation with tradition, crafting unique dining experiences that capture the spirit of each cuisine. From Simon Oren's humble falafel cart decades ago, to a culinary odyssey, our story is a passionate pursuit of redefining dining. Guided by visionary chefs and seasoned restaurateurs, their menus pay homage to tradition while embracing innovation. Beyond their kitchen doors, they’re active members of the communities they serve, sharing stories and supporting local places. Dine with them, and you will embark on more than a meal – it's a journey of flavors, memories, and excellence, one plate at a time.
New York, NY
Bar Bas is an intimate hidden cocktail lounge in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, located beneath Marseille brasserie and led by Chef Driven Hospitality, the family-owned group created by Simon Oren. Built on the memories of midnight rounds at Réunion, and opening night parties at The Friki Tiki, Bar Bas draws inspiration from the laid-back atmosphere and design of 1970s French bars. This Marseille After Dark offers unique underground soirées and resident DJs on weekends. Aviram Turgeman, Chef Driven’s Beverage Director—who has received the Wine Spectator Grand Award of Excellence for over 10 consecutive years at Nice Matin—and Bar Bas Manager Erik Antonacci created a cocktail menu featuring 10 French-inspired seasonal variations on classics. Bar Bas also serves Marseille's Champagne and wine list. Early in the evening, theatergoers can enjoy a prix-fixe menu before Broadway’s curtains go up, created by Culinary Managing Partner, Andy D'Amico, and Executive Chef Xavier Monge. As the night moves on and the lights dim, the room fills with cocktail enthusiasts enjoying drinks, while savoring French-inspired small plates.
Chef/owner: Laila Bazahm
Guerrilla Dining Concepts is an underground supper club and experiential culinary company run by Chef Laila Bazahm. It hosts exclusive, pop-up events in hidden or unexpected locations across Austin, Texas, featuring progressive, multi-course international tasting menus. The company is known for its clandestine nature and exclusive, ever-changing menus. It offers a hybrid between a high-end restaurant and a private dinner party. Over the years, Chef Laila Bazahm has also operated brick-and-mortar concepts in Austin like El Raval (Spanish tapas) and Siti (Asian-inspired dining).
Chef: Laila Bazahm
Austin, TX
El Raval is a Spanish restaurant located in Austin, Texas, that specializes in small-plate cuisine with a bold personality. The concept is deeply inspired by one of Barcelona's most vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhoods, reflecting a history shaped by global traditions and generations of immigrants. Rooted in a love for travel and cultural exchange, the menu emphasizes fresh ingredients and bold flavors designed to bring people together. Ultimately, the space is envisioned as a welcoming environment for guests to gather, linger, and celebrate the rich intersection of different cultures at the table.
Chef: Laila Bazahm
Austin, TX
Siti is a Southeast Asian restaurant located in the heart of Austin, Texas, that celebrates a rich heritage of culinary matriarchs and family traditions. Driven by a legacy of memory, love, and bold flavors, the restaurant respectfully reimagines traditional Southeast Asian cuisine—from bustling hawker stall favorites to intimate family recipes—to delight modern palates with house-made spice pastes and expertly grilled meats and seafood. Designed as a vibrant yet deeply personal gathering space, it accommodates everything from casual date nights and group dining to large private celebrations, corporate events, and weddings, while also offering dedicated catering services throughout the Austin area.
New York, NY
l’abeille is a Michelin starred French restaurant with Japanese influence located on a charming Tribeca cobblestone street corner. The restaurant is centered on seasonal Chef’s Tasting Menus with an award-winning wine and cocktail program. l’abeille is the brainchild of Chef Mitsunobu Nagae, a veteran Michelin-starred chef who has worked at multiple legendary restaurants in Tokyo, Paris, and New York.
New York, NY
l’abeille à côté is a casual restaurant where Chef Mitsunobu Nagae, and his team serve interpretations of Japanese fare reflecting on Chef Mitsu’s heritage.
Chef: Manabu Asanuma
New York, NY
Muku (“無垢”), meaning “purity” or “innocence,” is a Japanese restaurant devoted to the art of nihonryori - or simply, “Japanese cuisine.” Led by award-winning Chef Manabu Asanuma, whose background includes acclaimed kitchens in New York such as o.d.o., Uchu, and top counters in Japan and Taiwan, Muku is rooted in seasonality, simplicity, and intention. While inspired by the beauty of kaiseki, Muku is not bound by its formal structure. Instead, the restaurant celebrates goho (“五法”) - the five classical techniques of Japanese cooking: raw (nama), grilled (yaki), simmered (ni), steamed (mushi), and fried (age).
Chef: Laurent Tourondel
New York, NY
Nestled behind the Hotel Eventi lobby, Back Bar is a tastefully designed and visually stunning space that captures the essence of modern elegance via mid-century decor, soft lighting, and an inviting ambience. Known for its craft cocktail program, Back Bar takes pride in offering a curated selection of libations that change with each season. With the added charm of live music on select nights, and the occasional cameo from some of New York’s best bartenders, Back Bar is a hidden gem for cocktail enthusiasts all around.
Chef: Laurent Tourondel
New York, NY
Featuring an American menu with Italian influences, L’Amico honors the food of both Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel’s past and present. The kitchen, visible throughout the dining room, brings to life the diverse menu that includes Tourondel’s take on American favorites such as pizza, fired in twin copper-clad, wood-burning ovens, freshly extruded pastas, and selections of charcuterie.
Chef: Laurent Tourondel
New York, NY
World-renowned Chef Laurent Tourondel offers a broad array of delicious food options from passed hors d'oeuvre to plated dinners.
Chef: Laurent Tourondel
New York, NY
This modernly rustic restaurant serves up a set-course menu of skirt steak with Béarnaise sauce, field greens, and unlimited fries. Cauliflower steak is available upon request. You’ll want to save room for dessert because the signature dessert cart carries an array of delicious pies and cakes.
Philadelphia, PA
Terra Grill, opening soon in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, brings an elevated yet approachable take on wood-fired American cuisine. Centered around open-flame grilling, the menu will showcase premium meats, seasonal vegetables, and bold coastal flavors rooted in French and Italian traditions.
Owner: Roni Mazumdar
Chef/Partner: Chintan Pandya
Their food challenges the conventional norms of what you would expect when you think of Indian food. Every venture is different, yet has its own unique fingerprint.
Chef/Partner: Chintan Pandya
New York, NY
Adda which means "a place where people hang out" holds up to its name as the bright casual atmosphere, with a collage wall of Indian newspaper covers and rustic "unapologetically" authentic Indian street food certainly incites conversation.
Chef/Partner: Chintan Pandya
New York, NY
Roni Mazumdar and Chef Chintan Pandya’s latest brand Biryani Bol is inspired by the concept of “Halla Bol” meaning to “raise you voice”. 16 layers of ingredients are carefully laid in the traditional and ageless earthen pot, sealed with a bread so not even the slightest flavor can escape, then cooked in the original “dum” technique. The pot is sealed with bread and sent out.
Executive Chef/Partner: Chintan Pandya
Chef de Cuisine: Neel Kajale
New York, NY
Dhamaka (which means “explosion” in Hindi) is a deep dive into the cuisine that encapsulates the heritage and vibrancy of the subcontinent's rich culinary history by serving Indian provincial food with a rural style of cooking.
Partner: Chintan Pandya
New York, NY
India has a long tradition of kebabs which vary across the country. They are all fresh, flavorful, and criminally delicious. Kebabwala is bringing those authentic flavors to NYC.
Executive Chef/Partner: Chintan Pandya
Chef de Cuisine: Soham Deshpande
Brooklyn, NY
Restaurateur Roni Mazumdar and Chef Chintan Pandya bring their unapologetic style of cooking to Park Slope with the reimagining of the restaurant Mazumdar first opened in 2011and originally conceived as an homage to Roni's heritage and run by his father Satyen Mazumdar. The new Masalawala will offer signature dishes from the original location, with additional regional food prepared by Chef Chintan, and act as a market selling spice blends, and other specialty Indian products.
Chef/Partner: Eric Valdez
New York, NY
The group known for putting Unapologetic Indian cuisine on the map opens Naks, a soulful heritage Filipino restaurant headed by long time Dhamaka Chef de Cuisine Eric Valdez who was raised in the Philippines before coming to America at 21 years of age. In Tagalog Naks is slang for an expression of surprise and admiration. The menu, and dining room will be divided into two sections: one serving regional dishes a la carte, and the other a tasting menu known as Kamayan where the food is served family style on a banana leaf and eating with one's hands is encouraged. That menu will include dishes such as Kinilaw na Baka – Angus Beef Tenderloin, Beef Bile, Red Onion from the Luzon Region; Kapis – Scallop, garlic, margarine, eden cheese, from the Visayas Region; and Lechon Liempo – Porcelet Pork Belly, garlic, lemongrass, pork liver dip, from the Mindanao Region. Expect the same Unapologetic approach to the food and beverage experience that the group is known for.
Chef/Partner: Chintan Pandya
New York, NY
Another Unapologetic Foods brand by Roni Mazumdar and Chef Chintan Pandya, Rowdy Rooster focuses on Indian Spiced Fried Chicken and accompaniments. The fast casual eatery will offer take-out and delivery, and have a handful of seats for those who prefer to eat-in.
Partner: Chintan Pandya
Chef/Partner: Vijay Kumar
New York, NY
Semma, which in Tamil means striving for excellence, serves heritage Southern Indian fare as seen through the eyes of Tamil Nadu native Chef Vijay Kumar. This menu is deeply personal to Chef Vijay and recounts his food experiences as a child and into his young adult years in India.
Owners: David Foulquier, Joshua Foulquier
Upon graduating from the Chaplin School of Hospitality at FIU, David Foulquier opened Fooq's in 2015, on Eleventh Street in Downtown Miami, Florida. World travels and a passion for hospitality inspired Foulquier’s vibe-driven Miami concept, Fooq’s, which opened in 2015 and offers exotic fare in a cozy setting. An innate gourmand of Persian-French heritage, Foulquier filled a much-needed void in the Magic City with a foodie-haven of globally inspired ‘Feel Good Food.’ We All Gotta Eat continues to expand its offices in both New York and Miami, with many more exciting concepts in the pipeline.
Chef: Zach Zeidman
New York, NY
Brothers Joshua and David Foulquier (partners Sushi Noz) honor their late mother with the opening of Chez Fifi, a fantastical French restaurant on the Upper East Side. Nestled within a charming Manhattan townhouse across two floors, and seating 40, Chez Fifi is dedicated to delivering an intimate dining experience. Designed by Joyn Studio, the main dining room boasts rich mahogany paneling, deep blue hues, plush banquet seating, and glistening mirrors. Chef Zach Zeidman’s concise menu also conjures up Paris. The curated menu uses top of the line ingredients which will update based on market availability. The fare is classic and presented as a feast to be enjoyed by all at the table.
Chef/Partner: Nozomu Abe
New York, NY
Noz 17, the team’s second sushi-ya, brings Chef Noz’s critically acclaimed edomae tasting menu to Chelsea. Chef Junichi “Matsu” Matsuzaki was selected to helm the seven-seat sushi bar, and hrough his multi-course menu, Chef Matsu aims to let each ingredient shine at the peak of its season; therefore, the menu will change micro-seasonally. The ingredient-focused Noz 17 introduces an omakase format uncommon in New York, in which the chef alternates nigiri and otsumami bites throughout the dinner.
Chef/Partner: Nozomu Abe
New York, NY
Noz Market, from Sushi Noz, allows fish and seafood lovers to purchase pristine fish on a daily basis. Billed as a Market and Butcher, it is a speciality store for those in search of high-quality fish and seafood, Japanese accoutrements, and prepared items. Noz Market's selections are flown in daily from Japan and other parts of the world; then, in the hands of sushi master Noz, the fish receives the royal treatment, using the same Edomae techniques of aging and curing as at their Michelin-starred sushi restaurant directly next door.
Chef/Partner: Nozomu Abe
New York, NY
Chef Nozomu Abe's vision to create a superlative dining experience – memorable, intimate, elegant, and a feast for the senses – was inspired by childhood memories of extraordinary fish from his grandfather's seafood company in Hokkaido. Thus, Sushi Noz was born. Conceived like an ancient Kyoto temple, it seeks to transport diners to another world, where refinements of time and space are transformative and every moment can be treasured.
Restaurants + Bars
Partners: Chef Cody Mao, Samuel Park
New York, NY
28 nomad is a contemporary Asian restaurant shaped by the experiences of two partners who grew up between cultures. Chef Cody Mao, 26, originally from China, and Director Samuel Park, 27, originally from Korea and responsible for wines and spirits, met while working at Atomix. The restaurant brings together different influences into something that feels distinctly personal rather than being defined by a single cuisine.
Owner: Adrien Falcon
New York, NY
Arvine is a modern, urban, casual chic and fine dining restaurant with French inspired food, innovative cocktails, an extensive wine list with rare finds and a deep by the glass section, owned and conceived by Adrien Falcon, originally from the Savoie region of France.
Chef/Owner: Heena Patel
San Francisco, CA
Besharam is a regional Gujarati restaurant in San Francisco’s Dogpatch district. Opened in 2018 within the Minnesota Street Project, Besharam reclaims the word “Besharam” — Gujarati for “shameless” — as a celebration of boldness, resilience, and unapologetic self-expression. The restaurant showcases Heena’s innovative approach to Indian dining, blending the rich traditions of Gujarati vegetarian cuisine with seasonal California ingredients and a fine-dining lens that challenges expectations. Its ever-evolving menus and spice-driven beverage program create an experience that is playful, layered, and deeply personal.
Owners: Sahil & Neha Sabharwal, Dinesh Sabharwal
Chef: Kuwar Pal Singh
Long Island, NY
Step into Bhaijaan, where the soulful aromas of North Indian kitchens meet the bold, bustling spirit of New York. The menu is a love letter to India’s smoky tandoors, vibrant street corners, and regal dining traditions—reimagined with flair. From charcoal-grilled kebabs to lost royal recipes, every plate is rooted in authenticity and elevated with innovation. Guests are transported to India’s golden era when Bombay pulsed with nightlife. It is moody, large and masculine where people gather, connect, and time travel into the past—celebrating the flavors, stories, and spirit of an unforgettable age. The menu ranges from Chaats, Kebabs & Tikka to Curries, Biryani and Pulao.
Owners: Danny Emerman, Chef Jamie Kenyon
New York, NY
Bottino is a popular modern Italian restaurant and art-world staple in West Chelsea, New York City circa 1997 with a spacious year-round garden. It serves authentic Italian food with warmth and style.
New York, NY
Located in the heart of SoHo, New York City, Casasalvo is an elegant Italian restaurant that celebrates the authenticity and refinement of Mediterranean cuisine. Founded by Chef Salvo Lo Castro, the restaurant was created with a clear vision: to bring the soul of Italian gastronomy to New York through a cuisine that respects tradition while embracing modern refinement. Casasalvo offers a dining experience defined by elegance, precision, and warm Italian hospitality. The atmosphere reflects understated luxury, where attention to detail and quality ingredients create a refined yet welcoming environment. The restaurant has quickly become a destination for guests seeking a sophisticated interpretation of Italian cuisine in downtown Manhattan.
Owners: Chef Andrea Calstier and Elena Oliver
North Salem, NY
Two new chic French dining experiences are changing the Westchester dining landscape in North Salem. La Bastide, which translates to ‘country house’, offers a personal fine dining tasting menu in an exquisitely designed intimate dining room, and above it, Cenadou, a Provençal word for ‘get together’ is a casual yet stylish bistro. Both are run by Marseille born husband-and-wife Chef Andrea Calstier and Elena Oliver. Each restaurant has its own distinct personality evident in the food and the design, with open kitchens so diners can view the chefs in action. It’s the ideal setting for the young French couple, who imagined they would have to move back to France for an opportunity for a rural farm to table experience that reflects the way they grew up.
New York, NY
Brooklyn, NY
Chama Mama is a place where every meal is a celebration, and every moment is filled with joy. The team is thrilled to share the heart and soul of Sakartvelo (Georgia) with their guests. At Chama Mama, they celebrate more than just food — they celebrate life, love, and the stories that accompany every meal. Inspired by the tradition of the supra, every visit to Chama Mama feels like a special event. Their vibrant dishes, paired with the warmth of Georgian hospitality, create an unforgettable dining experience. Whether it’s a family gathering, a romantic dinner, or a casual meetup with friends, they ensure every bite is Chamalicious.
Chef/Owner: Andrew Black
Oklahoma City, OK
Located in the heart of OKC, Dougla is a new restaurant from Chef Andrew Black. The menu weaves West Indian, Indo-Caribbean, and African flavors, telling a personal story through flavor, memory and heritage. Dougla is a tribute to Chef Black’s Caribbean and Indo-Caribbean heritage and to his grandmother, Elysabeth Badoo, who taught him how to understand spice, honor ingredients, and find joy in feeding others. This restaurant marks Chef Black’s return to the flavors that shaped him.
Chef / Owner: Juan Manuel Barrientos
New York, NY
Elcielo Restaurant New York is one of the best restaurants in New York City for those seeking authenticity, and culinary innovation in luxury dining. It offers an exclusive tasting menu showcasing modern Colombian haute cuisine and a casual cafe style restaurant for daily dining. Led by Michelin starred Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos and his culinary team, Elcielo blends avant-garde techniques with bold Latin American flavors for an immersive, multi-sensory experience. Located on the fourth floor inside Virgin Hotels New York City, in the heart of the NoMad neighborhood, Elcielo is an ideal destination for romantic dinners and unforgettable celebrations.
Owner: Giorgios Bakatsias
Chef/partner: Chris Lewnes
General manager: Salvatore Catania
Wilmington, NC
Fortuna Cucina Italiana, located in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a contemporary restaurant focused on delivering authentic, refined Italian cuisine rooted in seasonality, craftsmanship, and an organic-driven approach. Conceived by visionary restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias and led by Executive Chef and Partner Chris Lewnes—a classically trained chef with experience in notable and Michelin-starred kitchens—the establishment balances traditional culinary techniques with regional seafood and seasonal ingredients. Alongside General Manager Salvatore Catania, the leadership team provides a versatile, welcoming dining experience designed for everything from casual meals to intimate gatherings, prioritizing consistency, high quality, and understated elegance.
Chef / Owner: Nuno Sousa
New York, NY
Opening September 10th in the West Village, GALO is Chef Nuno Sousa's ode to his native Portugal. The menu maps the country's land and sea through petiscos (Portuguese tapas), seafood, arroz, and heritage centerpieces like Galo Recheado (whole stuffed rooster) and Perna de Cabrito Assada (roasted goat leg). Offering the largest selection of Portuguese wine in New York, the wine program is a full exploration of Portugal's 4,000-year-old tradition. It features diverse selections from the country’s distinct regions including Vinho Verde, Bairrada, Dão, and Alentejo to the volcanic Azores, Madeira, and the Port lodges of the Douro. Designed by Lisbon's Studio Asolfi and finished with handmade ceramics and Portuguese craftwork, GALO marries the intimacy of a traditional adega with the sophistication of the West Village. It is Sousa's second NYC concept, following Leitao on nearby Hudson Street.
Partners: Chef Gary Ke, Chef Po Shing Ng
New York, NY
Translating to "refined world," Ike Sekai offers a seasonally driven menu at a remarkable price point. Running 90 minutes, tastings feature sashimi, nigiri, and other specialties sourced both locally and from Japan. Seatings are available from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with four time slots per night.
Chef/Owner: Philippe Massoud
New York, NY
Washington, DC
ilili is where guests celebrate life and share sundry blends of modern and traditional Lebanese cuisine. Executive Chef and Owner Philippe Massoud excellently crafts a melting pot of Lebanese, Levantine, Mediterranean inspired cuisine mixed with New York attitude. Flavorful herbs and spices combine textures to appease broad-based palates. Ilili on lower Fifth Avenue in Manhattan (circa 2007) was one of the first restaurants to open in what is now known as NoMad, the Washington DC location opened in 2021, and the midtown location opened in November 2025.
Chef / Partner: Nigel Lobo
Chef de Cuisine: Ajay Negi
Scottsdale, AZ
In March 2025, Lincoln Village welcomed a brand-new dining concept, Indibar, serving a unique blend of authenticity and modernity and celebrating the culinary traditions of India. In a jaw-droppingly beautiful space, full of jewel tones, gold accents, and warm woods, Masti Hospitality LLC alongside star Chefs Nigel Lobo and Ajay Negi have created a warm, welcoming environment.
Owners: Danny Emerman, Brook Payner, Chef Jamie Kenyon
New York, NY
'ino is a non-traditional enoteca, located in the heart of the Flatiron District. It subtly incorporates British influences into a seasonal Italian creative menu inspired by chef/owner Jamie Kenyon's English upbringing. 'ino is the sibling to Bottino (in West Chelsea since 1997) from which the name derives and features Italian regional wines and artisan cocktails. The art rotates throughout the year giving diners a feast for their eyes as well as their tastebuds.
Owners: Spicy Hospitality
Miami, FL
Michelin-starred Chef Haruka Katayanagi, the Wagyu evangelist behind Tokyo’s revered Oniku Karyu, brings his artistry stateside this December with a new 10-seat Miami outpost. This ultra-exclusive fine dining experience spotlights Japan’s most prized A4–A5 Kuroge Wagyu, personally selected by Chef Katayanagi and presented through a kaiseki-style progression that elevates each cut to its fullest expression. Merging traditional kappo and kaiseki techniques with a singular devotion to beef, Oniku Karyu offers dishes ranging from Wagyu nigiri to chateaubriand, sukiyaki, and delicately prepared shabu-shabu, all performed as a theater of precision and luxury. Setting a new benchmark for Miami’s culinary scene, this counter-centric experience transforms dining into dialogue, where each guest becomes the focus of the craft and every bite reflects the season-driven innovation that defines Katayanagi’s celebrated Ginza original.
Chef / Owner: Chi Ian Chan
New York, NY
After working various positions in the food industry, Chi used his passion and talent for cooking, his front-of-house experience, and his operational knowledge of the food industry to create a business that would represent him, his Hawaiian heritage, and the values that community celebrates. In July 2022, Chi made the leap to leave behind his entire life in Hawaii to support this dream. He made his first musubi sale in January 2023 through a local neighborhood Facebook group, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Owners: Ayana Chen, Denise Chung
Chef: Jason Lin
New York, NY
At Koete Omakase, timeless technique meets modern flair. The intimate sushi counter offers a refined chef’s choice experience, where the freshest seasonal ingredients showcase the coastal flavors of Japan.
Owners: Chef Andrea Calstier and Elena Oliver
North Salem, NY
Two new chic French dining experiences are changing the Westchester dining landscape in North Salem. La Bastide, which translates to ‘country house’, offers a personal fine dining tasting menu in an exquisitely designed intimate dining room, and above it, Cenadou, a Provençal word for ‘get together’ is a casual yet stylish bistro. Both are run by Marseille born husband-and-wife Chef Andrea Calstier and Elena Oliver. Each restaurant has its own distinct personality evident in the food and the design, with open kitchens so diners can view the chefs in action. It’s the ideal setting for the young French couple, who imagined they would have to move back to France for an opportunity for a rural farm to table experience that reflects the way they grew up.
Chef / Owner: Nuno Sousa
New York, NY
Leitao is an authentic Portuguese restaurant in New York’s West Village where the warmth and flavors of Portugal come alive. Inspired by the culinary traditions of Northern Portugal, the menu offers a fresh take on classic dishes, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Leitao proudly serves exclusively Portuguese wines and Portuguese-inspired craft cocktails. Inquire about their Fado nights which usually fall on the second Wednesday of each month. Watch for Chef Nuno's second restaurant, Galo, to open summer 2026.
Owner/Executive Chef: Albin Vincent
Partner: Mervyn Winston
Chef: Vasantha Kumar
Sous Chef: Andrew Simethy
New York, NY
Restaurateur and Chef Albin Vincent grew up in Kanyakumari, with deep roots in Sri Lanka. His culinary journey is rich with stories from his grandmother, an extraordinary cook, who instilled in him a passion for food from a young age, teaching him the art of traditional Sri Lankan dishes. It has always been his dream to serve these two cuisines side by side, which led to the opening of Lungi. In 2024 Lungi was awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status.
Owner: Mark Bucher
New York, NY
Nationwide
The first New York location of this fun neighborhood Steak Frites experience began in Washington, DC in 2011 and has grown to 11 locations. It serves only Culotte Steak with salad and French fries and is topped with their homemade sauce for $34.95. Complimentary second helpings of all items are available as well as an array of layer cakes and other homemade desserts. Brunch is boozy with bottomless Bloody Mary’s, screwdrivers, mimosas, soft drinks; and egg dishes to accompany the steak. A portobello mushroom option is available for non-meat eaters.
Owner: Chef Melba Wilson
New York, NY
Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem opened its doors in 2005 and has come to be regarded as the premier comfort food destination in New York City. The eponymous restaurant was the vision of founder, Melba Wilson. Being born, bred and buttered in Harlem, Melba knew she wanted to stay close to home so she could nurture and provide an exquisite yet comfortable dining experience to the community that raised her. Since then, Melba herself has gone onto becoming a personality advocating for women in business, the hospitality industry, and the importance of cultural recognition. There are now locations of Melba’s in the Grand Central Terminal Dining Concourse, The Prudential Center, and Wollman Skating Rink. A large restaurant in Newark NJ is scheduled to open Fall 2025.
Owners: Thana “Tum” Kigprayoon, Angsuwan "Phai" Kigprayoon, Naratip Klinsrisuk, Chompoo Nitmai
Chef: Sunisa “Susan” Nitmai
New York, NY
Moon & Back Brings ‘Mom-to-Table’ Thai to the West Village. Chef Sunisa “Susan” Nitmai and Chompoo Nitmai, the mother and daughter team behind the shuttered Michelin Bib Gourmand Pata Cafe in Queens crossed the river bringing family favorites and new creations to this Thai restaurant whose technicolor décor departs from the nostalgia-driven dining rooms flooding New York City’s Thai dining scene. The pair have teamed with another family—Thana “Tum Kigprayoon and his wife, Angsuwan “Phai” Kigprayoon, restaurateurs who missed Chef Sunisa’s cooking—and Naratip Klinsrisuk, who Chompoo met while running the critically acclaimed Pata Bar, an Elmhurst destination.
New York, NY
Nar, meaning pomegranate, symbolizes happiness and prosperity in Turkish culture. Their mission is to introduce the vibrant and exquisite flavors of modern Turkish cuisine to New York City. Located in the heart of the Flatiron District, Nar is a collaboration of three passionate investors with deep connections to the culinary world: Pakize Sukan, Erhan Bahceci, and Zeynep Solak.
Owners: Bobby Kwak, Joseph Ko
Chef: Dae Kim
New York, NY
Nōksu, owned by Bobby Kwak and Joseph Ko (Baekjeong Korean BBQ) and headed by 20-something wunderkind of cooking Chef Dae Kim, signifies a deep and clear valley in the mountains, which is quite apropos considering that the restaurant is located down the staircase of the subway station on the NE corner of Broadway and 32 Street. Designed by Claire Soojin Kim the space is mysterious and neat, inspired by Korean ink-and-wash paintings. Chef Dae is Korean-born and found his calling here in the U.S. by reading cookbooks cover to cover. His multi-course tasting menu will serve interpretations of Korean fare, American fare with Korean flair, maybe a little French, a little Japanese, and anywhere else Chef Dae pulls his inspiration from.
Owner: KwangHo Lee
New York, NY
One Bryant Park will be a fine dining Japanese culinary destination in the heart of midtown Manhattan conceptualized by KwangHo Lee (Momoya, Happy Tuna). The flagship restaurant will be a 150-seat tasting menu experience by Chef Tadaaki Ishizaki, and within the restaurant will be Kappo Sono, a 10-seat kaiseki restaurant by Chef Chikaro Sono, and Kumiko Room, a10-seat sushiya by Chef Yoshihiko Kousaka. Corporate Chef Toshihiko Kobayashi will oversee broader culinary operations, Group Beverage Director Leo Lê will curate the wine and sake list, and Pastry Chef Norie Uematsu will oversee desserts.
New York, NY
Palermo Argentinian Bistro has expanded its Manhattan presence with a new location at 55 Grand Street in SoHo, joining its sister restaurants in Hell's Kitchen and Gramercy. Founded by partners Orhan Cakir, Executive Chef Carlos Barroz, and Wine Director Jorge Albarracin, the restaurant celebrates Buenos Aires culture through authentic Argentine cuisine and a vast, approachable wine program featuring 80 percent Argentine selections. Chef Barroz’s menu highlights traditional wood-fired *parrilladas*, premium imported steaks, and unique Latin American-inspired dishes, alongside exclusive downtown pasta and salad offerings. Coinciding with its launch during the FIFA World Cup, the new venue will broadcast matches to serve as a community hub, initially offering dinner and weekend brunch before introducing lunch service.
Chef/Owner: Joe Cash
Greenville, SC
Located in the heart of downtown Greenville, Scoundrel is the culinary creation of Chef Joe Cash, an alumni of Eleven Madison Park and Noma, who returned to his hometown in 2022 to open his first solo venture. With a focus on French-inspired cuisine and a commitment to using the finest local and seasonal ingredients, Scoundrel has ignited the Greenville dining scene. The restaurant has earned national recognition, being named one of Esquire's 'Best New Restaurants in America' for 2023.
Owner: LDV Hospitality
Consultant: Hiro Nishida
Sushi Chef: Kevin Garrisson
Brooklyn, NY
Koju offers a modern, forward-thinking interpretation of omakase—one that honors tradition while pushing creative boundaries. The experience extends beyond the plate: the intimate counter setting is paired with a buzzy Japanese-inspired vinyl music program, played on rare, Silence Please speakers that bring about a sensory fusion between taste and sound.
New York, NY
Ouji Sushi, nestled in the heart of SoHo, exudes an aura of charm. At the helm of Ouji (meaning Prince) Sushi is Chef Ben, a master of his craft hailing from Kaohsiung city in southwestern Taiwan. Despite his reserved demeanor, his passion for sushi is unmistakable.
Owners: Chef Lane Li, Chris Wang
New York, NY
Taco Lane, the Asian taco bistro from the couple behind Brooklyn’s beloved Noodle Lane, is officially open in Union Square in the space that was formerly known as Rulin. Taco Lane is owned and operated by Lane Li and her husband, Chris Wang, who have backgrounds in finance and technology, respectively. However, they made a significant shift in their careers to pursue food full-time. Lane’s story is one of remarkable resilience spanning from her childhood in China and Flatbush to her becoming a chef. After completing her training at the Institute of Culinary Education while simultaneously working in finance, the birth of her son, Jackson, served as a catalyst for her decision to dedicate her life to the culinary arts. This pivotal moment ultimately led to the successful establishment of Noodle Lane at Smorgasburg in 2011. Subsequently, a brick-and-mortar location was opened in Park Slope in 2023, and now, the latest of the “Lane” locations has arrived in the form of Taco Lane.
Owner: Avtar Walia
New York, NY
The esteemed Tamarind Tribeca upholds the standards of fine dining, presenting a vast overview of Indian cuisine without compromise. Tamarind has been overseen since its inception in 2001 by maestro Avtar Walia, and features dishes from across India.
Chef/Owner: Chuck Valla
New York, NY
This sliver of a restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen is a sanctuary for Thai cuisine featuring family recipes like Mom’s Pad Thai from his mother’s restaurant in Bangkok, and Sai Ua–a Northern Thai pork sausage flavored with chili, kaffir lime, galangal, and lemongrass–that his grandmother taught him how to make when he was growing up in Thailand’s Nan Province on the border of Laos. Chuck’s signatures include Nuer Tom Bai Horapa—a braised beef soup with lemongrass and basil leaf inspired by the flavors of Central and Northeastern Thailand; and Pak Mor Kaeng Pu, delicate made to order steamed rice dumplings filled with crab meat in nam yaa, a coconut curry sauce flavored with fermented shrimp paste, turmeric, and chili.
Owners: Spicy Hospitality
Miami, FL
Michelin-awarded Chef Yasu Tanaka, the rising star behind Miami’s acclaimed Sushi Yasu Tanaka in the Design District, unveils his next culinary chapter this winter with Yasu, an ultra-intimate, 10-seat omakase experience showcasing his craft at its most refined. In this discrete setting, Tanaka and his team present their signature artistry with pristine fish flown directly from Japan, precision-seasoned rice, and technique honed to perfection, creating a deeply personal dining journey. Inviting guests to pause time, pour a sake, and let the chef narrate each course through flavor, Yasu represents Tanaka’s most elevated vision yet - and one of Miami’s most coveted reservations.
Hotels
Negril, Jamaica
Charela Inn is a Jamaican family owned 59-room boutique hacienda-style hotel on Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica known for its quiet atmosphere, tropical courtyards, and fresh-water pool. The on-site Le Vendôme restaurant serves French and Jamaican cuisine and an authentic Jamaican breakfast. Their own Cocoa Farm spans 174 acres of hillside and flat terrain, and supplies a great deal of the produce served. Populated by sheep, cattle, goats and chickens, the livestock keeps an ongoing fresh supply of meat and eggs. Many crops are grown on Cocoa Farms, including calaloo, cabbage, lettuce, okra, string beans, ackee, as well as a variety of fruits including delicious mangoes when in season.
Tokyo, Japan
Located at the iconic Ginza 1-chome intersection, FUFU Tokyo Ginza offers a one-of-a-kind stay, with each of the 34 guest rooms featuring a private garden and natural hot spring baths – a rare sanctuary in the center of Tokyo. FUFU Tokyo Ginza is the latest addition to FUFU JAPAN’s collection of Small Luxury Resorts (with locations in Atami, Kawaguchiko, Karuizawa, Kyoto, Hakone, Nara, and Nikko). Founded in 2007, each property embodies a refined retreat where traditional Japanese aesthetics meet contemporary sophistication, guided by the concept of being a “place to savor time.” FUFU Tokyo Ginza is home to Yusora, the rooftop lounge and tranquil garden retreat featuring natural hot-spring footbaths sourced from Atami; GINZA GAYU, an 86-seat restaurant where the cuisine embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics and the true spirit of Japanese dining; and SUSHI GINGA, the eight seat intimate omakase counter.
Newport Beach, CA
Designed with an effortless sense of style and a definitive beach-house vibe, Lido House is Newport Beach’s favorite guesthouse for locals and visitors. The hotel’s design and iconic architecture celebrates Newport Beach’s Cape Cod aesthetic with elegant twists on a variety of nautical themes. Sitting on the site of former City Hall, Lido House is the old-new centerpiece of Newport Beach. Featuring 130 rooms, including five unique cottages each curated by a local designer, the rooms at Lido House pay homage to the unique ambiance and coastal lifestyle of our community’s surrounding areas. Lido House offers two unique dining experiences: The Mayor’s Table is Lido House’s signature dining venue. Featuring a focus on seasonal, chef-driven cuisine, including an open action kitchen, Mayor’s Table is both a premiere dining destination and neighborhood hot spot. Newport Beach’s premier rooftop bar, Topside offers a sophisticated space as special as its champagne pairings and celebration-worthy views. Lido House’s Boost Spa is a place where natural botanicals combine with cutting-edge technology to spark vitality. Designed to optimize energy, our diverse range of spa treatments are thoughtfully crafted to enliven the body, mind and spirit. Boost Spa’s intimate setting offers a tranquil atmosphere perfect for pre-wedding pampering, unwinding after a long day of meetings or simply for your own wellness.
Consumer Brands
Nationwide
Premium Japanese food brand Kayanoya is known for its quality Dashi (Japanese broth) and approx. 1000 Japanese food products available via mail order across the United States. Their mission is to elevate everyday dishes with the exquisite flavors of Japanese condiments.
New York, NY
Brooklyn, NY
Let's Chama is a new artisanal bakery concept from the team behind the popular Georgian restaurant Chama Mama, with dual locations in Bushwick and Chelsea. Under the direction of executive chef Nino Chiokadze, the bakery specializes in traditional and creative Georgian pastries, offering a unique "grab-and-go" experience that features the iconic cheese-filled khachapuri, mushroom pies, and sweet chocolate cigaretti. The expansion includes a massive 6,300-square-foot space at 81 Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn, which combines a full dining room and bar with a 14-seat bakery area, while the Manhattan counterpart operates at 149 West 14th Street. Open weekdays from 8am to 6pm, these outposts aim to further cement Georgian cuisine's growing influence on the New York City food scene through specialty items like fig-vanilla and cinnamon-walnut lattes.
Nationwide
Noble Fresh Cart is an e-commerce food service delivering restaurant-quality premium seafood, meats, and sushi essentials sourced from True World Foods directly to the doorsteps of New York and New Jersey-based consumers. Noble Fresh Cart features an array of top-tier, ready-to-eat sashimi and sushi, including bluefin tuna (akamai, chutoro, otoro), salmon and uni as well as premium Japanese Wagyu beef and more, allowing customers to enjoy affordable Michelin-quality seafood at their home and for home entertaining.
New York, NY
Brooklyn, NY
Parcels of Mr. Moto is an extension of the gourmand’s world—an invitation to experience his culinary journeys beyond the walls of his office and residence. Each parcel is prepared within the heart of Mr. Moto’s kitchens, where his chefs handle every ingredient with the same reverence found at his counter. Rooted in the traditions of Edomae sushi, the offerings honor his fondness for simplicity and craft: intricately layered chirashi bowls, meticulously cut sashimi, and sushi composed with omakase-level precision. Delivered to your door, every parcel is assembled as though it were a personal gift from Mr. Moto’s travels, secured within packaging inspired by the parcels he once carried across Japan. Now available in Brooklyn NY.
Tokyo, Japan
Premium Japanese food brand Kayanoya is known for its quality Dashi (Japanese broth) and approx. 1000 Japanese food products available via mail order across the United States. Their mission is to elevate everyday dishes with the exquisite flavors of Japanese condiments.
Events + Organizations
Nationwide
Chefs on the Spectrum is an initiative founded by chef Franklin Becker and restaurateur Joseph Valentino to train and place individuals with autism into fine-dining kitchen jobs. It addresses both the high unemployment rate of autistic adults and the shortage of skilled labor in restaurants. The program focuses on utilizing the strengths of neurodiverse individuals for roles in the culinary industry.
Tokyo, Japan
GARDE is an international branding and interior design company based in Tokyo with offices in Osaka, Hong Kong, Singapore, Milan, Paris, New York and Los Angeles. They offer consulting, creative design and coordination services in the following key sectors: retail, residential, hospitality, F&B, office, entertainment, public and healthcare mixed-use facilities. GARDE currently services clients in Asia and Europe. Steven Hall identifies and secures licensing deals for Garde properties.
Executive Director: Jonathan Forgash
Queens Together is a non-profit organization to empower, represent and support the Queens restaurant community and a “Plate It Forward” program to feed people facing food and economic insecurity. It is a network of Queens restaurants and community groups working together in NYC’s largest borough. Its initiative "Eats in Queens" will support the vibrant Queens culinary scene, raise funds for vital food relief efforts through Queens Together, and offer donors a discount at participating restaurants throughout March 2023.
New York, NY
The enormous and exciting True World Foods Expo 2024, newly titled SUSHI-CON, returns to the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 22nd, promoting sushi and fine global culinary culture to more than 2000 New Yorkers. The expo is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. More than 50 suppliers of True World Foods (TWF) from the United States and around the globe renowned for their premium seafood and Japanese delicacies, will be showcasing their finest offerings. Throughout the event, attendees can indulge in an unlimited tasting of the freshest seafood, including bluefin tuna, yellowtail, sea bream, salmon, and sea urchin. There’s also exclusive wagyu beef along with a curated selection of other Japanese food favorites like matcha tea, yuzu, wasabi and more. New products, including but not limited to scallop, abalone, conger eel (Anago), Hawaiian Kanpachi, and American domestic eel, will also be introduced.