NYC: Amanda Freitag's Empire Diner Opens Tonight In Chelsea
Food Network star Amanda Freitag is finally set to open her first solo project tonight in New York City. The Harrison and 'Cesca alum's "locavore diner" will serve as a re-opening of the iconic Empire Diner — keeping the historical name — and feature a combination of the chef's signature dishes along with classics inspired by staples from diners around the country. Currently serving just dinner and holding 75 seats in a modern setting, the restaurant will eventually be open 24 hours a day and add an additional 80 outdoor seats in the spring.
We've gotten a chance to look at the menu, and already picked out personal favorites. A Happy Waitress dish of poached egg, ham, cheddar cheese and chili jam and loaded fingerling potatoes with foie gras, bacon bits, jalapeño and sour cream stand out among the starters, while larger plates include a classic patty melt as well as more "upscale" diner grub such as lemon chicken, steak and potatoes, and an oyster pan roast. It is worth noting that the pricing remains palatable throughout the menu, with the main courses hovering in the $15-20 range. There's no $24 Chef's Salad here, an increasingly disturbing trend in New York's overpriced diner scene. Looks like we'll be seeing you in West Chelsea soon.
Empire Diner
210 Tenth Avenue
212-596-7523
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