Peace y’all,
I am just off the 6 train, having returned from a panel conversation at Lex Yards at the Waldorf Astoria. The discussion introduced a preview to the new spring menu at Lex Yards, and featured a restaurateur group of panelists with insights and “examinations” on the “American brasserie” if you want to sit with that term for a moment.
The cast featured Michael Anthony (chef, of Gramercy Tavern), Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto), Camari Mick (forthcoming L’Atelier Ebene!, formerly of Raf’s), and Drew Nieporent (Nobu and now-departed Tribeca Grill). The conversation was semi-moderated by Ruth Reichl.
My head is still spinning from the various entry points to the conversation, which I think attempted to define the brasserie through an American lens, why it still exists, why we love it so much, where it came from, what it represents.