Famed chef Michael Anthony has grand plans to revive the Waldorf Astoria because the epicenter of the Huge Apple’s crowded eating scene – and he’s beginning by reimagining the famed lodge’s iconic dishes, Facet Dish has discovered.
Anthony, the longtime government chef at Gramercy Tavern, helms Lex Yard, the 220-seat restaurant that hopes to satiate locals and well-heeled friends because the Waldorf lastly reopened its doorways Tuesday following an eight-year renovation.
“I feel like I’ve been waiting all my life for this moment,” Anthony advised Facet Dish.
“The menu was created to draw people in — to make this a busy restaurant, a great addition to the New York dining scene.”
That begins with a reinterpreted Waldorf salad, which was reportedly invented on the lodge’s unique location in 1893 — the place the Empire State Constructing now stands.
His tackle the traditional apple, grapes, walnut and celery salad consists of including some crunchy romaine lettuce, New England cheddar and toasted sunflowers – after which swapping out the stodgy mayo with an edgy aioli made with honey, saffron, grapeseed oil and lemon juice.
“When you are working with the perimeters of history, there is some pressure,” Anthony admitted.
“But rather than build a salad that belonged in a museum, I wanted to create one that people would crave.”
One other menu merchandise popularized on the Waldorf, a pink velvet cake, has been remade as a pink velvet soufflé tart.
The restaurant, described by Anthony as an “American brasserie,” can even provide classics like lobster rolls and herb roasted hen, with components sourced from the Union Sq. farmers’ market.
Lex Yard, named for the Lexington Avenue prepare line that when ran underneath the lodge to Grand Central Terminal, additionally boasts non-public eating rooms, together with Monitor 61 and FDR.
They’re named for president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who would secretly enter the Waldorf by way of the undergrounds to cover the ravages of polio that left him in a wheelchair.
City legend additionally claimed President Kennedy used the tracks for secret visits to paramour Marilyn Monroe, whereas Andy Warhol was mentioned to host wild events beneath floor.
Other than Lex Yard, Anthony can even oversee the menu on the famed Peacock Alley – a reputation derived from the trail that used to attach the Waldorf to the Astoria when the Gilded Age properties opened.
“It is an interesting opportunity to thread the needle … and to bring back such a beautiful and elegant part of New York City. Hopefully this will become everyone’s favorite neighborhood spot,” Anthony mentioned.
