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Tell us about yourself! My first project was Dumbo in the early 2000 with The General Store, an art supply store cum café. It was funky but a great business school. Here I developed strong relationships in NYC’s food scene and also noticed that traditional grocery food offerings were really abysmal at the time, so I opened Foragers Market, a craft grocer and farm-to-table deli. My vision for this concept that championed local upstate farmers, high-quality produce and healthier eating was the first of its kind, and it quickly became a neighborhood favorite. After Foragers’ success, In 2006 I was approached by a developer to develop a food hall in Downtown Brooklyn. Ultimately this became DeKalb Market Hall in 2017, a huge food hall in downtown Brooklyn. This was followed by The Hugh in midtown; Ana Bar & Eatery, an elevated self-serve eatery, café, and bar in Hudson Yards; and a restaurant in DUMBO, Brooklyn. What inspires you to uncover more? When I’m coming up with concepts for new food halls or restaurants, I’m passionate about discovering talent within a city and creating a dynamic, welcoming atmosphere that celebrates all of these diverse, rich influences that make a place interesting. I’m inspired by my travels and discoveries in a city down to the specific borough. At DeKalb Market Hall and at The Hugh I brought together beloved food vendors from all the different boroughs. At Dekalb, street artists, musicians, and even subway performers mingle with diners; and at Ana Bar & Eatery I wanted to offer Hudson Yard goers an elevated hybrid space that feels like a welcoming mini piazza without the coldness of typical fast casual. Where is your go-to spot when in NYC? The MET, The Frick and Chelsea galleries. Is there a secret, local-only spot you can share? Sifnos Greece – I always stay at whatever Airbnb I can find. I like the town of Artemones and wondering around Appolonia at night. The food is very good here. Bolgheri Wine Region in Tuscany - the wines are beautiful, and you have the ancient hill town villages adjacent to the sea without the crowds of the northern areas of Tuscany. Where is your bucket-list destination? What makes you excited about visiting? I love ancient history so I will go anywhere I can walk ancient sites or famous battle grounds. I would love to spend more time in the Middle and Near East. It is sad that this incredible region is in such turmoil all the time.
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