New Chef at Monkey Bar Identified

The storied restaurant Monkey Bar, which was sold last year and closed for renovations, is now in a super-stealthy friends-and-family mode. New owner Graydon Carter also operates the exclusive Waverly Inn and inspires such awe and secrecy among his customers that those who have so far previewed the menu have declined to be identified in articles about the restaurant. But the first (anonymous) reports reveal a throwback menu that’s all blue-plate specials gone to high-end heaven: “Meatloaf, chicken Payard [sic] and the old iceberg wedge with blue cheese,” the Observer reports. Andrea Strong hears Waldorf Salad and "Lobster Newburgh" [sic] are in there, too. “Chef is from London,” Strong’s tipster says, but up until now the chef’s identity has remained secret. We have it on good authority that Monkey Bar’s new executive chef is Elliot Ketley (pictured), who worked as chef for 4 years at exclusive NY club Soho House, but also at some of the most well-regarded restaurants in England.

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By Hugh Merwin in Food on March 25, 2009 2:24 PM

Comments [rss]

el

stop clamouring for these menus...unlisted phone numbers, and general disdain for patrons. spend your money elswhere.

RedWhiteandBrooklyn

"Lobster Newburgh"

There is no "h" in Lobster Newburgh. It's Lobster Newburg. Newburgh, New York gets an "h".

NannyState

It is "lobster Newburgh" because that "lobster" came out of the Hudson River.

cricketnyc

“Meatloaf, chicken Payard and the old iceberg wedge with blue cheese,”

Shouldn't that be Chicken paillard? Unless the chicken dish is in honor of Francois Payard?

jackdonaghy

So now that Graydon Carter owns the place, I guess only his blowhard cronnies will be able to get a decent table.

Rocknrope

Does anyone on the planet enjoy that miserable slice of iceberg lettuce gravied in blue cheese dressing?

matty

No. No they do not.

Jen Chung

But Lobster Newburgh!

matty

"“Meatloaf, chicken Payard and the old iceberg wedge with blue cheese"

And I probably couldn't think of a worse meal if I was stoned and in a 21 year old's dorm room.