Hi!
Well they've done it again! The dashingly handsome twin owner and operating partners, Daniel and Derek Koch (see photo below) are at it again and not a minute too soon. Back into the swing of the restaurant industry, the two have not been operating in a full service dining establishment since Jour Et Nuit -- may it rest in peace. As of today, they are back in the saddle heading up a MARVELOUS Saturday brunch at the Meat Packing District's Merkato 55. While the invite read that it began at 12:00 noon we arrived a little after 1:00 pm and the twin's hipster crowd clad in black skin-tight pants and black high boots arrived at 2:00 pm. The Mimosa's and Bloody Mary's flowed, and the food option slowly trickled from the kitchen, but what can attendees expect week after week ... should they be able to saunter over, or down, or UP to Daniel and Derek's Saturday Brunch?***
Here's the Deal
Daniel Koch shared what makes this brunch so, how shall we say...unique! "Well, we have a chef (Angelo Sosa) from Jean Georges that we just brought on, and his signature dish is the spiced yellow fin tuna, and it comes with chocolate sauce; it's a spicy tuna, so it basically balances the palate. A lot of people do a tuna tartare and they usually bring it down with an avocado. He has his signature chocolate on the side...it's a twist...it's AMAZING, I've never tasted anything like it before. He brings a lot of spices to the menu; he opened Spice Market. Looks like they've got a winner in this chef, and let the record show the twins are behind him 110% citing "he's the man that makes it happen in the restaurant business." Other suggested Brunch options as per DK--Eggs Benedict, goat cheese omelet, chocolate pancakes, and his personal favorite, the spiced pork sandwich. "We've got brunch items, lunch items, dinner items, and then we have our signature Rosé...it's a party!
Party indeed! We even had a few words with house music DJ Orazio Rispo, famously of Saturday nights at 1OAK; he explained that he will be playing something special for the crowds. (We heard Gorillaz at some point during our visit). It seems the twins specifically wanted a mix of house and hip-hop, but as Rispo doesn't play hip-hop normally, this gig is really going to be a treat! This is week one everyone, if you care to make it by week two (why wouldn't you) do the honorable thing, make a reservation via reservations@merkato55nyc.com, NOW!
***-Daniel and Derek's Saturday Brunch also features Pur Rose and Pur Pearl so drink up!
*photos by The Quest for "it"
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