Larry Gagosian is a globally known art dealer who is very important in his field. He owns a chain of his own galleries of which the flagship gallery is found on Maddison Avenue and 76th Avenue. Larry always believed that upper east side area neighboring his Gagosian Gallery needed more restaurants. Gogosian then had an idea: to open a restaurant within the gallery. “I had an idea for a restaurant in this building.”

Gagosian proceeded to asking a chef at whose restaurants he is a regular: sushi master Chef Masa Takayama from his restaurant Masa near Columbus Circle. After Gagosian proposed to begin a partnership, Chef Takayama agreed and the deal was done! The lower level of the gallery was transformed into a stylish dining room with textured oya stone walls and some interesting art pieces. “This is not going to be an extension of the gallery,” Mr. Gagosian said.

The open kitchen will serve raw and cooked items for a large, seasonal menu of sushi; sashimi; and grilled, steamed, braised and fried dishes. Many of these dishes will often offer luxurious ingredients such as caviar or white truffles which will be served on dinnerware that has been designed by Chef Masa Takayama. The presentation of the sashimi is very inventive as it is displayed on frozen blocks of glass. Bamboo Bento Boxes will be served at the lunch hour. The restaurant within an art gallery will open tomorrow at 976 Madison Avenue (76th Street), 212-647-2942.

To read more about the partnership and new restaurant where art and sushi collide, click here

Russ & Daughters, the purveyor of Jewish-American foods on the Lower East Side, plans to open a cafe in the Jewish Museum uptown on 92nd St and 5th Avenue early next year. Recently, Russ & Daughters opened Russ & Daughters Cafe on East Houston St next to its flagship store. The new cafe at the museum will be on the lower level and will also have a retail counter. Claudia Gold, Museum director, describes her thoughts on Russ & Daughter, “They’re really hip, and we want to try to make Jewish hip. We feel like the brands align.”

Niki Russ Federman, an owner of Russ & Daughters, is also excited for the collaboration, “We’re both important cultural institutions. We want to preserve tradition yet move ahead, so there’s a synergy in our values.” The fare at the new shop in the museum will be kosher and will not require museum admission to enter.  The 75-seat sit-down kosher café will have a selection of Russ 7 Daughter classics such as bagels, egg creams, herring, knishes and traditional homemade breads.

To read more about the partnership between Russ & Daughters and the Jewish Museum, click here

Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick and Rich Torrisi known as the ‘Torrisi Team’ are opening a restaurant at the High Line which differs immensely from their Thompson St restaurant Carbone. Carbone serves big portion heavy-duty Italian/American dishes such as veal parmiggiana and pasta alla vodka. The new restaurant at the High Line will be more focused on light and healthy dishes inspired by the cuisine of the Italian coastline. Zalaznick mentions that “there will be a huge emphasis on fish a vegetables..and almost no meat.”

The team did some research on the area where the restaurant will open and came to know that before the expansion, the high line was once the coastline of Manhattan. It was also a farmer’s market at one point some 100 years ago. The idea of opening a steakhouse was an option at one point, however the light, healthy Italian menu concept seemed more appropriate and in keeping with the area’s history. Thomas Waugh will also be serving cocktails inspired by the Italian riviera and serving them in the great setting which has about 100 indoor seats and 50 outdoor.

To read more about the new High Line neighborhood breakfast, lunch and dinner spot by the Torrisi Team, click here