After two years of wandering in the NYC food desert, former Modern chef Gabriel Kreuther will return to the kitchen tonight at his first solo restaurant, aptly named, Gabriel Kreuther. The concept is sort of Alsace meets America (much like Kreuther himself) carried out in a large space in the Grace Building, with nods to both countries — stork wallpaper for Alsace, exposed wood beams from Vermont for the states (though they are supposed to "'Y'-shaped homes in Alsace," says a rep). The space, designed by Glen Coben, has a rather beautiful lounge and formal restaurant area decorated with artful wallpaper, a large wrapping cream banquette, a bunch of exposed wooden beams, and some interesting light fixtures.
The Menu: There's no tasting menu here, but both lunch and dinner are offered strictly as prix fixe menus, two courses for lunch ($52, an additional course can be added for $24) and four for dinner ($98), with diners choosing from a selection of dishes like a sturgeon and sauerkraut tart, Colorado lamb in "hay stack," and a chilled black cherry consomme. In the less formal, a la carte, lounge is where guests will find Kreuther's legendary tarte flambees. Here, there are a few varieties including the classic, one topped with gravlax and trout roe, another with hen of the wood mushrooms and comte, and finally a sea urchin and caviar tarte.
The restaurant opens tonight for dinner and will start lunch service tomorrow.
