Waldorf Astoria New York has unveiled details of the property’s signature restaurant, Lex Yard, helmed by Chef Partner, Michael Anthony.

Expected to debut in spring 2025, the two-story American Brasserie-style restaurant marries the vibrant energy of New York and the essence of contemporary American dining, featuring a lively bar and dining room offering up seasonal American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“My favourite restaurants are approachable, offer a personalised experience to guests and don’t take themselves too seriously,” explains Anthony. “This is what we will focus on at Lex Yard, creating a space for guests to enjoy elevated American food and excellent service with their family, friends, business partners, time and time again.”

“Lex Yard will offer a neighbourhood dining destination for New York, by New York,” says Luigi Romaniello, Managing Director at Waldorf Astoria New York. “Chef Michael Anthony brings a wealth of culinary expertise and a passion for exceptional dining to Lex Yard, and we are excited for travellers, residents and the local community to experience the artistry and dedication that will define our menu.”

With a passion for sustainable agriculture and dedication to working with local farmers and producers, Anthony’s menus are an expression of seasonal ingredients, composed of locally sourced dishes. Guests will be able to choose from two options for dining at Lex Yard: an a la carte menu and a set, seasonal menu featuring four savoury courses and a dessert course. Both menus will feature vibrant vegetables and the high-quality meat products from family farms, local oysters and sustainably caught seafood.

“Seasonal ingredients are the starting point of our menu choices so diners can expect Lex Yard to tell a story of the people and places that produce the most exciting foods in this region by the ingredients that we choose to put on the plate,” concludes Anthony. “My most memorable meals have always been anchored to a specific place and time. I hope to bring that to Waldorf Astoria New York and add to the dialogue of what makes dining in New York City unique.”

Named after the hotel’s Lexington Avenue location and the historic train depot, Track 61, which is directly below Waldorf Astoria New York, Lex Yard is steeped in the urban legend of secret travels taken by distinguished hotel guests and dignitaries, connecting the hotel to Grand Central Station.

Evoking a sense of this exploration, the culinary experience at Lex Yard starts in the downstairs bar and social hub before moving upstairs to the refined dining room on the second floor. Designed by Avroko, the space celebrates Art Deco spirit and modern elegance, brought to life through texture, patterns and colours that evoke 1930s New York.

Upstairs, fluted columns with custom integrated lighting and white oak parquet floors reference the era’s signature patterns with a focal point chandelier of glass, stone and brass.  Downstairs, the bar design will honour the building’s history, incorporating coffered ceilings with inlaid Art Deco stepped brass light fixtures and a backlit metal brass screen and leather back bar frame complemented by a terrazzo-clad bar die, featuring brushed brass trim and dark turquoise leather panels.

Playful nods to New York City will be found in the geometric patterned green and light teal terrazzo floor with metal inlay influenced by the city’s urban planning and green table lamps inspired by old subway entrance lighting.

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