Daniel had seen one of our new projects that had recently opened in Chicago an SRG restaurant called Mercat. That prompted him to call to ask if we’d be interested in collaborating with him on a new concept he was planning to open on the Bowery in Manhattan. We next found ourselves getting under the skin of what would become DBGB Kitchen + Bar. Daniel’s POV on a great neighborhood brasserie with a downtown twist included bangers and beer, a late-nite attitude for all of his friends to gather and of course adventures to follow . . .

Graced with Daniel’s unique touch and team, and laced with an interpretive take on an industrial hood, filled with restaurant supply shops and quirky wholesalers, and located just steps from the storied home of CBGB where punk was literally born – we riffed on its industrial grit and hand-crafted an “anti-brand” for DBGB in the spirit of this distinctive place. Bravo to Thomas Schlesser’s interiors that were both true to place and beautifully inventive, including the personally signed copper pots send from Daniel’s Chef friends around the world to stock the shelves. We are sad to see the doors close on the spirited birthplace in NYC but you can now find its new sister in Washington, D.C.

We are grateful to have heeded Daniel’s call and now call him a friend. One of the most generous and kind-hearted people in the business, we know that fun and integrity come on each culinary adventure we take together.

Merci.

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