Jean-Georges Vongerichten Goes Public, With His Newest Hotel Restaurant

Jean-Georges Vongerichten is making moves once again, and this time, it’s not inside ABC Carpet & Home.  The chef icon is actually letting his hair down on the Lower East Side at Public —  a hip hotel from Studio 54 founder, Ian Schrager.

Continuing the thread started at his most recent venture, abcV, Public Kitchen’s focus is on health and wellness, with breakfast through lunch menus, featuring fresh-pressed juices, an emphasis on vegetables, and plenty of options for vegans.

Always the gastronomic globetrotter, the prolific JGV plays fast and loose from there.  Occupants of the 370 assorted rooms (inspired by yacht cabins), or 11 exclusive condos perched atop the glassy, avant-garde building can roll out of bed for wholly American repasts like Chia Pudding with cacao nibs, Gluten-Free Almond Pancakes and Bagels with the works (sourced from Russ & Daughters).  But the two ensuing meals are much more worldly — Jean-Georges indulges his penchant for Asian flavors with Spicy Tuna Tartare with yuzu, Corn and Basil Potstickers and Soy-Garlic Marinated Steak with fermented black bean dressing, and traverses Europe and the Middle East, via Chopped Chicken Liver with chicken skin, Rigatoni with wax beans and pistachio pesto, Three Cheese Pizza with asparagus and pepperoni, and Seared Black Bass paired with cauliflower tabbouleh and lemon yogurt.

Although there’s no room service, there’s plenty at Public to keep Vongerichten busy because he’s overseeing numerous concepts within the edgy complex, including an outdoor terrace called The Bowery Garden (for aperetivi and al fresco dining), a gourmet grocery-cum-luncheonette called Louis (offering everything from sushi to pastrami sandwiches to build-your-own-salads), a gentleman’s club christened Diego (placing equal emphasis on high-end cocktails), and the requisite rooftop bar.

While other restaurateurs struggle to expand and evolve their brands, ABC remains only the tip of the iceberg for the unstoppable JGV.

Public Kitchen
215 Chrystie St
(212) 735-6000
publichotels.com