ROSE & IVY Journal No.12: Le Jardinier New York

LE JARDINIER FOOD & DESIGN

In a sunny corner in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Le Jardiniermay sit below sky-high, glistening skyscrapers, but inside the verdant, plant-filled interior, you get transported somewhere else. The modern, vegetable-forward restaurant, overseen by Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli, who worked for the late iconic French Chef Joël Robuchon, has one goal and it’s to make sure that visitors “experience the real taste of in-season ingredients, in a comfortable and stylish setting, and to feel light, yet satisfied when they leave.”

Photographed and Written by Alison Engstrom

left to right Chic bar stools lined in a row; a view of the dining room.

left to right The sun illuminating a table in the dining room; one of the beautiful vegetable-centric dishes.

THE MENU

The menu, which includes lunch and dinner—it earned them a Michelin star—draws primarily from Chef Alain’s 18 years spent working in Japan. He notes his observations from living there, “They’re focused on creating a link between individuals and nature not only through food but aesthetics as well.” He adds, “Seasonal eating is so ingrained in their way of life; that was a big inspiration. The menu also reflects how I like to cook and eat these days—not vegetarian, but vegetable-focused—making sure they’re a big part of the plate, and prepared with the same level of care as proteins.” His vision is matched with his team which includes Executive Pastry Chef Salvatore Martone and and Head Baker Tetsuya Yamaguchi. While the dishes rotate, recent highlights included pearled barley risotto with crispy kale and sea urchin and Montauk fluke enlivened with grapefruit, celery root and bay leaf. Convene at the equally design-forward bar to sip on beautifully presented cocktails, with or without alcohol, to soak in the sublime setting.

THE INTERIORS

The light-filled interiors, designed by renowned Paris-based design firm Joseph Dirand, were imagined to look like a modern greenhouse. Chef Alain says, “The feeling of being surrounded by natural materials—such as the wall-to-wall green marble—complements the overall experience. Even though it’s marble, all of the rounded edges in the space create a real warmth.” Modern, yet sumptuous elements like seating swathed in deep green suede, floor-toceiling windows and a grand marble staircase that leads up to Shun—the second restaurant concept on the property also overseen by Verzeroli—creates an environment that is both transportive and calming.

Le Jardinier 610 Lexington Avenue NYC