Chef César Ramirez Opens a New Manhattan Restaurant

César is the new namesake restaurant from chef César Ramirez, who formerly led the kitchen of Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare (a past Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winner). Ramirez also previously worked with the late David Bouley. “[It] was a longtime dream to have my own place,” Ramirez told Wine Spectator via email.

Joining Ramirez as sommelier is John McKenna, previously a sommelier for Daniel Boulud’s the Dinex Group and the beverage director of Best of Award of Excellence winner l’abeille in Tribeca.

The space: Located in the Hudson Square neighborhood, César is spread across about 3,000 square feet. Ramirez worked with designer Martin Vahtra on the space, which features 20-foot-high ceilings, an open kitchen and 36 seats in the dining room, plus 13 more at the chef’s counter. “I fell in love with the space because of its history as a former printing press,” said Ramirez. “The sight lines are fantastic. The bones of the space are just great.”—Collin Dreizen

Vanguard completed the 4,500 SF restaurant fit-out for Michelin-star chef, Cesar Ramirez, in SoHo this past summer. The dining room features white oak walls, applied molding, wood floors, track lighting fixtures, and a bar counter of Carrera Bianco marble overlooking views of the open kitchen. Scope also includes new MEPS/ FA, integrated AV, interior/exterior signage, installation of client’s kitchen and FFE, architectural metal and glass storefront, refurbished restrooms, and custom millwork at entry lobby.