Jean-Georges

Since opening in 1997, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s eponymous flagship at 1 Central Park West has been called “the jewel” of his global restaurant empire. Designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen with lighting by L’Observatoire, the dining room’s off-white and ivory palette creates a serene canvas for floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park and Columbus Circle, an iconic backdrop for the mix of celebrities, socialites, and devoted diners who fill the room.

The menu blends French, American, and Asian influences, evolving seasonally with ingredients from local farmers’ markets. Signature dishes such as the egg toast with caviar set the tone for the tasting menus that follow, which include six-course, 10-course, and vegetarian options. Rotating dishes might feature tomatillo–lemon verbena jus, black truffle with za’atar, or sunflower seed ajo blanco. The vegetarian menu highlights heirloom tomatoes, when in season, with a crunchy vegetable mignonette and spiced dressing. The restaurant is also open for breakfast and lunch.

Adjacent to the formal Jean-Georges dining room, Nougatine offers a more relaxed atmosphere with a long bar, warm wood paneling, and wide views of the trees in Central Park. Nougatine serves Chef Jean-Georges’s signature and seasonal dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, 365 days a year. The menu is more casual than that of the flagship but remains market-driven, showcasing the same precision and finesse.

Awarded four stars by The New York Times and two MICHELIN stars, Chef de Cuisine Joseph Rhee and his team continue the legacy built by Jean-Georges through French technique and respect for global flavor. No matter how many restaurants Jean-Georges opens—44 and counting—this flagship remains his home base.