Montrachet was a French restaurant in Tribeca opened in April 1985[1] and Drew Nieporent’s first restaurant. It closed in the summer of 2006.[2] Within seven weeks of opening, the New York Times gave it a three star rating which it kept for 21 years.[1]
Unlike other “serious French restaurants” of the time, Montrachet was a remodeled industrial space with pipes that were exposed, original plaster ceilings, young staff dressed all in black and a printed menu in English instead of French. Daniel Johnnes’ wine list gave American wines as much focus as French.[3] Wine Spectator honored them with a Grand Award in 1994.[4][5]
Alumni
Staff who have worked here include Bill Yosses,[6] David Bouley (the original chef),[3] and Debra Ponzek.[7]
Honors and awards
The restaurant won the 1995 James Beard Foundation Award: 1990s for outstanding service and outstanding wine service.[8]
Legacy
Montrachet was described as “a formative restaurant for … American wine lovers”[2] and one of New York City's most romantic restaurants.[1] After it closed, Wine Spectator said “Montrachet was a TriBeCa trailblazer that opened in 1985, setting the stage and style for downtown Manhattan dining.”[5]
References
- ^ a b c Conley, Kevin (September 14, 2003). "Montrachet". The New Yorker. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ a b Asimov, Eric (May 3, 2007). "Memories of Montrachet". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ a b Hodgson, Moira (May 11, 2001). "Tribeca Original Montrachet Saves Seriousness for the Food". Observer. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Scott, Keith (May 29, 2003). "New York's Montrachet Offers BYOB Mondays". Wine Spectator. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ a b Meltzer, Peter D. (May 15, 2007). "End of a (Restaurant) Era". Wine Spectator. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Burros, Marian (March 18, 2014). "Pastry Chef to Obamas Hanging Up His Whisk". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Fabricant, Florence (July 27, 1994). "Off the Menu". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Fabricant, Florence (May 10, 1995). "Beard Awards: A Little Politics, Lots of Good Food". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.