Geoffrey Zakarian has a knack for opening successful restaurants, from The Blue Door at the Delano Hotel in Miami to New York Times 3-star restaurants, Town and Country. So it’s without a doubt his latest endeavor, The Lambs Club in The Chatwal Hotel, will be huge hit. Set in a 1905 landmark building in the Theatre District, The Lambs Club is an ode to America’s first professional theatre club of the same name. The club was where Broadway and Hollywood stars gathered (John Barrymore, Milton Berle, Fred Astaire, Irving Berlin to name a few), and the current restaurant embraces the glamour and intrigue of that time.
The Lambs Club opened in August for brunch, lunch and dinner, with Zakarian’s take on a classic bar and grill with seasonal ingredients.
Haute Living: How has it been opening your newest restaurant, The Lambs Club?
Geoffrey Zakarian: The entire renovation of this historic landmark building is quite remarkable and exciting. Mr. Sant Chatwal did an amazing thing for this city by reviving this Broadway clubhouse. The legends and their stories that once filled this place seem to be lending electricity to the walls.
HL: What are some of your favorite dishes at your restaurant?
GZ: The entire menu is meant to be simple and approachable with a touch of glamour thrown in. When I step into the kitchen in the morning I go for the scrambled eggs with pine nuts and minced lamb. When I finish at night, it is hard to resist the burger.
HL: Where do you like to dine when you’re not working?
GZ: Balthazar. And for a caffeine break, Joe: The Art of Coffee.
HL: What’s your ideal meal?
GZ: Rose, Plateau Fruits de Mer and Profiteroles.
HL: Where do you like to dine for a special occasion?
GZ: Masa
HL: What’s your favorite NYC neighborhood?
GZ: Midtown. It’s where it all happens. It is the epicenter of American business.
HL: What do you like to do in the city on your days off?
GZ: Days off are few and far between in the restaurant business. But on an hour off, I like to have a glass of wine with my wife.
HL: Your favorite vacation destination?
GZ: St. Barth. So you caught me, I do take some days off. But I like to spend an hour drinking wine with my wife there, too.
HL: What’s your most memorable meal?
GZ: Alain Ducasse’s La Bastide de Moustiers.
HL: What are your five favorite ingredients?
GZ: French Butter, ea salt, Meyer lemons, tarragon vinegar and peppercorns.
The Lambs Club is located at The Chatwal New York Hotel; 132 West 44th Street; 212-997-5262.
To contact Tracey Ceurvels, visit her blog, The Busy Hedonist, or email her.
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