Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Moe Issa |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Multi-course tasting menu inspired by Japanese cuisine |
Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare is a dining establishment originally situated at 200 Schermerhorn Street in Downtown Brooklyn, notable for being the first restaurant in New York City outside Manhattan to receive three Michelin stars. In December 2016, it relocated to 431 West 37th Street in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood.
Restaurant
The initial Brooklyn venue was established by Moe Issa next to a grocery store, with César Ramírez serving as the executive chef. This cozy setting accommodated 18 diners seated around a single counter. The restaurant enforces a strict ban on note-taking, photography, and mobile phone usage during service. Despite high demand resulting in reservation waits extending up to six weeks, it has cultivated a dedicated customer base. The reservations coordinator frequently contends with intense pressure from guests attempting to secure earlier seating.
Offering a fixed menu of 24 courses inspired by Japanese cuisine, the focus lies on simplicity and premium ingredients. The tasting includes items such as canapés, cheeses, soups, and desserts, with no option for guests to select dishes. Each evening sees the use of roughly 900 serving vessels. Ramírez personally presents each course by detailing its components and attentively monitors diners throughout their meal.
In December 2016, the restaurant transitioned to a new location in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, situated behind a grocery store.
Reception
The establishment has garnered favorable acclaim, ranking number 55 on the expanded list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants and earning three stars from The New York Times critic Sam Sifton in 2011.
Jean-Luc Naret, former director of the Michelin Guide, lauded the restaurant as one of New York’s finest and among the top 300 globally. Ramírez was reportedly taken aback upon discovering the restaurant had been awarded its initial two Michelin stars. It achieved its third star in 2011 and retained this distinction until all three were lost following closure and reopening under new leadership in 2023.
Nonetheless, some critiques were less favorable. Tanya Gold of The Spectator described the website and staff as excessively controlling and unapproachable, characterizing the experience as overpriced and inhospitable.
Richard Vines from Bloomberg Markets remarked that the restaurant’s location is somewhat challenging to locate.
Controversy
In 2014, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the restaurant concerning allegations that Chef Ramírez made anti-Asian remarks and implemented discriminatory policies.
In July 2023, the establishment closed amid legal conflict between Chef Ramírez and owner Moneer Issa. Ramírez asserted he was terminated abruptly after reporting Issa for embezzling $400,000. Conversely, Issa accused Ramírez of stealing kitchen equipment and rare wines, as well as exposing the business to legal risks through abusive conduct toward staff and patrons. The restaurant resumed operations in October 2023 under chefs Max Natmessnig and Marco Prins while litigation persisted.
On November 7, 2023, Michelin withdrew the restaurant’s stars due to ongoing disputes and organizational restructuring. Although Michelin ratings often endure through changes in kitchen leadership, the closure combined with reopening was deemed by Michelin to constitute essentially a new entity.
See also
- Compilation of Michelin 3-star dining establishments
- Compilation of Michelin 3-star dining establishments in the United States
- Compilation of Michelin-starred dining establishments in New York City