It’s not even October and it’s already a busy fall for celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson who, in addition to running a handful of restaurants in the city, sharing his recipes with CookUnity, and popping up on TV, is about to start promoting a brand-new cookbook.
Plus, this weekend, Samuelsson is heading up the first ever World of Smoke Global BBQ, a one-day celebration of barbecue, music and global culture at Resorts World New York City in Queens, home to Samuelsson’s acclaimed VIBE BBQ. The event takes place on Saturday, October 3 at 12 p.m. in Parkview Terrace.
The festival will bring together barbecue masters putting their own distinctive spin on cooking over fire. Admission is free with food and drink available for purchase. Local legends like Dinosaur BBQ, Virgil’s Real BBQ, and Hill Country Barbecue Market are representing NYC. It should be interesting to see how New Yorkers respond to Jamaican flavors, barbecue paired with kimchi, Argentine grilling, and other unique combinations that might be new to some festival-goers. To Samuelsson, who will be grilling himself this weekend, having the festival in Queens was a no-brainer.
“Barbecue is a universal language and every culture has its own traditions, flavors, and techniques and World of Smoke will bring those together in one incredible celebration,” said the chef. “We want people to come hungry, discover something new, enjoy great music, and have a great day with family and friends. And what better place to do it than in Queens, home to the most diverse food in the world!”
As for the upcoming book, it’s called Back to Green, and focuses on healthy eating and, he said, “looking at the foods and traditions that have sustained people for generations and rediscovering how delicious, nourishing, and relevant they are today.”
We caught up with chef Samuelsson to get the scoop on the festival, his book, and his favorite places to eat in his home neighborhood of Harlem. Plus, his favorite places to eat with his wife, Maya, and their two young kids in and around his adopted home city.
Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Current Favorite NYC Restaurants
Bungalow
“We have some great Indian restaurants in New York right now. I used to think London was doing Indian food better than us, but [chef] Floyd Cardoz with Tabla really started something. And now to see [chef] Vikas Khanna at Bungalow. His food is absolutely fantastic.” 24 1st Ave., East Village, bungalowny.com
Kono
“I love chef [Atsushi] Kono, his yakitori right off Canal Street. When you go through that tunnel… you’re in New York but there’s such a mystique. It’s cool.” 46 Bowery, Chinatown, yakitorikono.com
The Corner Store
“I love what Eugene [Remm] does in creating a quintessential SoHo, downtown New York experience. The restaurant feels bespoke, it’s not too big, there’s a vibrancy when you step in and it feels very much of the moment.” 475 W. Broadway, SoHo, thecornerstoresoho.com
Mission Ceviche
“My wife and I love Peruvian food and we love Mission Ceviche. It’s good energy and a good vibe. We can go to either location and to see chef Jose Luis [Chavez] … it’s very personal. Often, it’s a chef who I mentored or worked with me, and it’s a big deal. You take an enormous amount of pride when you see that level of success.” 7 E. 17th St., Union Square; and 1400 2nd Ave., Upper East Side, missionceviche.com
Bar Kabawa
“I love what my friend Paul Carmichael—we worked together for years— I love what he’s doing at Bar Kabawa. It’s Caribbean food at a different level. That bar dining feels bespoke, but it’s also an experience.” 8 Extra Place, East Village, momofuku.com
How Marcus Samuelsson Engages With the Neighborhood Before Dining Out
Hav & Mar
“To walk the High Line and see the [art] galleries—it’s an amazing experience. We want people to engage with Chelsea and then come to us. We built our restaurants very much in dialogue with the neighborhood, so we want you to experience the neighborhood and then dine with us.” 245 11th Ave., Chelsea, havandmar.com
Red Rooster Harlem
“First stroll on Lennox Avenue, check out some gospel or some jazz, and then come in and have brunch with us.” 310 Lenox Ave., Harlem, redroosterharlem.com
Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson
“The fact that there’s a theater there: you can come in, see a show, and then have dinner with us. We’re a part of the New York fabric: theater, music, culture, art. It’s all one.” Inside Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), 251 Fulton St., Financial District, metropolisbymarcus.com
Stroll Through Other Legendary Harlem Spots
“Sylvia’s and Melba’s are cornerstones of Harlem. I love Melba; one of the reasons why I’m here is because of Melba. One thing we have in Harlem is big walking boulevards—so it really pushes people to stroll.
You can be at Sylvia’s at the bar and come down to Red Rooster. You can walk from Rooster to the Studio Museum or the Apollo. It’s not an Uber in, Uber out kind of neighborhood. You can catch a band at Rooster and have dinner at Melba’s. It’s not an either/or situation, as it often is downtown.”
Melba’s Restaurant: 300 W. 114th St., Harlem, melbasrestaurant.com
Sylvia’s Queen of Soul Food: 328 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, sylviasrestaurant.com
