There’s a new West Side Story being written along the Hudson River in New York City. When the Shops and Restaurants in the first half of the monumental Hudson Yards complex open tomorrow, after twelve years of planning and 16 billion dollars of construction, they will be part of 18 million square feet of new commercial and residential space launched by Related Companies and the Oxford Properties.
View of the construction of the ‘Vessel’ structure by Thomas Heatherwick in Hudson Yards, New York, NYGetty
This is not just a few buildings or one massive development. This is the equivalent of a whole neighborhood being added to the urban landscape between 10th and 12th Avenue, and 30th to 34th Street. Office towers, apartment buildings, an Equinox hotel, the temporary-named Vessel (a towering spiral staircase to nowhere with 80 landings by Thomas Heatherwick), a performing arts center named the Shed and more than 100 shops and eateries.
The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yardscourtesy of Francis Dzikowski for Related-Oxford
In charge of choosing the restaurants, Kenneth A. Himmel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Related Urban, said, “To create this happy puzzle, I reached out to Chef Thomas Keller who helped curate a diverse collection of restaurants.” As they had done at the Time Warner Center, the pair hand-picked chefs and restaurateurs from around the world.
Some are new to New York as is rancher/farmer Anya Fernald, who at Belcampo on Level 4, offers sustainable organic meat from the animals she raises in Northern California on her own farm. Pick sausages, charcuterie and packaged meat from the cold cases and don’t forget a jug of bone broth.
Charcuterie assortment: salami, prosciutto, baconGetty
On level 5, Chef Peter Jin and the British-based group Rhubarb are launching Wild Ink, an East meets West eatery inspired by the chef’s travels. Small sharable plates include curried lamb momo, vanilla-cured salmon and pork and wagyu sliders.
On the ground floor, Spanish cuisine is the focus at Mercado Little Spain, a 15-kiosks food hall reimagined by Jose Andrés and brothers Albert and Ferran Adría. In addition to the kiosks, three restaurants vie for your taste buds: Leña for paella and grilled meats, Mar for seafood and the Spanish Diner with an all-day menu. A wine bar and a cocktail one round up the space.
A huge pan of Paella on the Burriana Beach in Nerja Andalucia Spain.Getty
Within the new Neiman Marcus, an elegant restaurant named the Zodiac Room is located in the women’s area of the store on level 7. Rumor has it that beyond the ‘green goodness and goddess salad’ the popovers may be reason enough to stop by.
Do visit Level 5 and 6 for Costas Spiliadis’ outpost of Estiatorio Milos, his Mediterranean restaurant focused on the seafood of the Greek Islands. The only restaurant outdoor terrace opens on stunning Western views of the Hudson River and ‘Vessel.’ On the same levels, Thomas Keller is opening Tak Room, a dinner-only restaurant dedicated to continental cuisine.
It’s a pleasure to tour Michael Lomonaco’s gleaming open kitchen at Hudson Yards Grill and watch the rotisserie, the massive grill and the plancha turn out delicious, casual fare such as fried chicken, prime rib and even grilled pizza. The clubby feeling of this brasserie on Level 4 is both inviting and chic.
Crab mac & cheese wonton, fresh crab bisque at Wild InkCredit Evan Sung
And for original cuisine, check out Queensyard, a stunning all-day British dining destination including an elevated and lively bar with 42 different gins.
There’s more of course: David Chang’s Kāwi and an outpost of Fuku, a Citarella restaurant, numerous coffee bars and food stores.
This collection may have been designed to give the new occupants enough options to keep them on the premises but this urban island may well attract visitors and New Yorkers alike.