Hudson Yards, an ambitious new residential and office complex on New York’s West Side, already offers restaurants from outstanding chefs including Thomas Keller, José Andrés and David Chang. The latest addition, the Tavern by WS, adds a different aspect: an exclusive affiliation with Wine Spectator, the world’s most widely read wine publication. The Tavern opened on Nov. 13.
“Being the Tavern by WS, we of course want to accentuate the wine,” said beverage director Michaël Engelmann, formerly of Wine Spectator Grand Award winner the Modern.
Engelmann will work alongside executive chef Eli Kaimeh, formerly of Grand Award winner Per Se and Best of Award of Excellence winner Gramercy Tavern. «We are extremely proud to open the Tavern by WS,” said Kenneth A. Himmel, president and CEO of Related Urban, developer of the Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, who collaborated on the project. «It is sure to be not only a great neighborhood restaurant, but a must-visit for culinary and beverage exploration.»
Tim Ryan Smith
Executive chef Eli Kaimeh and wine director Michaël Engelmann
«Being in a partnership with Ken Himmel and Stephen Ross makes this an exciting project for Wine Spectator,» said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator.
The brasserie-inspired American restaurant occupies a warm-toned, high-ceilinged space designed by the Rockwell Group, adorned with numerous display cellars showcasing the 5,000-bottle wine inventory.
The 400-selection wine program focuses on California and France, but also represents regions around the world, including Australia, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Germany and Austria, with a mix of benchmark and lesser-known wineries.
“It’s a balanced list where people can recognize a producer, but there’s also definitely going to be things that are very small production, harder to find,” Engelmann said. “The idea is always to create a dynamic program that’s exciting for everyone.”
Value and approachability are hallmarks of the list, reflecting the traditionally casual and comfortable feel of a tavern. About half of the wines are under $100, and only a handful of selections reach the higher end of $300 to $400.
Tim Ryan Smith
Display cellars throughout the space offer peeks at the value-driven wine program.
The by-the-glass list is similarly diverse, featuring about 30 international wines spanning a wide range of regions and styles, from domestic Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignons to South African Chenin Blancs and German Rieslings—“a little bit of everything,” as Engelmann put it.
Head sommelier Jared Hill, also from the Modern, will lead a team of five sommeliers, most of whom previously worked at Wine Spectator Restaurant Award–winning establishments: Mani McGregor, formerly of Manhatta; Kristin Ma, formerly of Anfora; Jun Xi Chen, formerly of Masa; David Blackburn, formerly of Del Posto; and Renato Bringas, formerly of Carbone.
The Tavern’s seasonal menu will offer contemporary takes on American classics, like apple Waldorf salad, rotisserie chicken, and a beef porterhouse for two. The restaurant is located one floor beneath WS New York, a food and wine–focused private membership club that opened to members last week.
The Tavern by WS
37 Hudson Yards, New York, N.Y. 10001, entrance on 11th Avenue at 32nd Street
(212) 564-3005
thetavernbyws.com
Open for dinner starting Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.; Open for lunch Nov. 19 at 11:30 a.m., then open seven days a week for lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m.
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