Anthony Bourdain is building his Xanadu at Pier 57 in the Meatpacking district, a restaurant complex as massive and loud as his personality.
“Think of an Asian night market,” said the celebrity chef, describing the Bourdain Market, a 155,000-square foot, 100-stall global culinary smorgasbord, currently under construction.
“The way people eat has changed,” the “No Reservations” star told the New York Times. “They want to be at counters and communal tables. They want heat and funk and chicken wings that set their hair on fire. They’re as quick to brag about the greatest $3 bowl of laksa as a dinner at Ducasse. That’s what I want to create for New York, some place where I would want to eat. Right now, there is nothing like that.”
Bourdain’s partner in the venture, Stephen Werther, described it more simply: “People want Tony’s shows to come to life.”
When it’s completed in 2016, the Bourdain Market will be the largest of the city’s rising crop of themed restaurant markets, such as Eataly New York at 200 5th Avenue and Le District at 225 Brookfield Place.
Bourdain’s creation will occupy the entire retail portion of Youngwoo & Associates and RXR Realty’s Pier 57. Google has also taken 250,000 square feet at the building. [NYT] – Ariel Stulberg