Liebrandt Gears Up for The Elm, Opening Next Month

Expectations are sky-high for The Elm, the forthcoming restaurant in the King & Grove hotel in Williamsburg from Corton's Paul Liebrandt. This is, after all, the first 'Burg restaurant from a chef/restaurateur that holds two Michelin stars under his belt. In a profile in the Times, Liebrandt explains: "I've been wanting to do a more accessible version of who I am for a while now." After the King & Grove people approached him, he checked out the restaurants in the neighborhood, and he determined that the 'Burg would be a good fit for his foray into casual dining.

The menu at The Elm will be broken down into four categories: land, sea, raw, and shared. Right now, Liebrandt is working on dishes like foie gras with pistachio and plum, chicken Kiev, and turbot for two à la Française. The chef will also be in charge of room service, and the food offered at the poolside lounge on the roof. (The King & Grove also has another rooftop lounge dubbed Upper Elm.) The chef notes: "No one's ever seen me open a restaurant, up to now, where it's been more casual...But I'll tell you, I can make a mean steak frites. I can make a beautiful soupe de poisson." Corton vet Mazen Mustafa will run the kitchen along with Liebrandt. The Elm is slated to open next month.
· An Unapologetic Artist [NYT]
· All Coverage of The Elm [~ENY~]
[Krieger]