Jackpot for Foodies? Silverstein’s Casino Bets on Star Chefs and Hell’s Kitchen Favorites [from W42ST.nyc]
Neapolitan pizza, Colombian empanadas, pastrami piled high — and a wine list curated by one of Hell’s Kitchen’s most beloved sommeliers.
By Phil O'Brien - W42ST.nyc
Original Article: https://w42st.com/post/jackpot-for-foodies-silversteins-casino-bets-on-star-chefs-and-hells-kitchen-favorites/
It might sound like the lineup for a 9th Avenue food crawl, but these are just some of the culinary stars planned for The Avenir — Silverstein Properties’ ambitious new casino and hotel complex at 11th Avenue and W41st Street.
In an exclusive preview shared with W42ST, developers behind the $5 billion, 46-story project announced a stacked roster of food and drink partners designed to win over local hearts and appetites. Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group — famous for launching Union Square Cafe in 1985 and shaping much of what we now consider New York fine dining — will open multiple venues onsite. Meyer’s portfolio includes Gramercy Tavern, The Modern and Daily Provisions, and his team has a long-standing reputation for hospitality, innovation and community engagement.
Stephen Starr’s STARR Restaurants, meanwhile, will also bring multiple concepts to The Avenir. Known locally for Pastis, Le Coucou, Electric Lemon and Buddakan, Starr’s group is celebrated for creating immersive dining experiences that combine culinary flair with theatrical ambiance.
The culinary centerpiece will be a 700-seat sixth-floor food hall, bringing together Hell’s Kitchen icons and wider New York favorites. Don Antonio’s famous Neapolitan pies and Empanada Mama’s Colombian comfort food will anchor the lineup, alongside Sarge’s Delicatessen, known for its mile-high sandwiches, and So & So’s, the neighborhood’s newest piano bar. Also joining the lineup is Sala De Despiece, a modern Spanish restaurant from Madrid’s Chamberí district, renowned for its innovative approach to tapas and immersive dining experiences.
But perhaps no addition brings more local cheer than that of Yannick Benjamin, who will curate the casino’s wine and cocktail offerings. The Michelin-starred sommelier and co-owner of Beaupierre Wine & Spirits on 10th Avenue is a familiar face in the neighborhood’s hospitality scene. Earlier this year, W42ST reported on the outpouring of community support after Yannick suffered a serious injury in a fall from his wheelchair, leaving him hospitalized with a leg fracture and nerve damage. Despite the setback, he remains deeply involved in the wine world and in advocacy for accessibility in hospitality.
“As a Hell’s Kitchen native, I am delighted to bring my passion and expertise to this exciting new development,” said Yannick. “I want this project to represent not just good food and wine, but opportunity and inclusion.”
Also in the mix will be celebrated chefs Nancy Silverton and Pim Techamuanvivit. Silverton, known for her influential work in Los Angeles, including at Osteria Mozza, will bring a full-service restaurant concept to the development. Techamuanvivit, the chef behind Michelin-starred Kin Khao in San Francisco and executive chef at Bangkok’s Nahm, will not only open a world-class Thai restaurant at The Avenir but also play a pivotal role in a new food and beverage incubator initiative. The program aims to mentor and support hospitality entrepreneurs from Hell’s Kitchen and beyond, helping foster the next generation of culinary talent.
The Avenir casino plan also includes a 1,000-room hotel, rooftop pool, spa, boutique performance venue and a wide range of restaurants and bars — all powered by all-electric systems and built to meet high environmental standards. Silverstein says the development will create 4,000 construction jobs and more than 5,000 permanent positions.
Larry Silverstein himself made the case for the site’s strategic appeal in an interview with W42ST last year. “Our location is ideal for a casino,” he said. “There’s nothing in the immediate vicinity that would cause problems, unlike Times Square.” He pointed to the surrounding infrastructure — bordered by the Lincoln Tunnel, the Javits Center, the Michael Quill Bus Depot and a FedEx Ship Center — as a buffer from residential pushback and a blank slate for reinvention. “It’s ideal for something new and exciting,” he said.
The project is one of several proposals vying for a limited number of New York State casino licenses. Just a few blocks east, SL Green has teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Caesars Entertainment for a competing Times Square bid. A decision on The Avenir is expected this fall, with local officials — including State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymember Tony Simone and Councilmember Erik Bottcher — expected to weigh in via a six-person Community Advisory Committee, which also includes the Governor, Mayor and Borough President.
For now, Silverstein is betting that a strong menu can help them win local favor.
“We’re creating something that reflects the flavor of the neighborhood,” Dara McQuillan from Silverstein said. “We want Hell’s Kitchen to see itself in The Avenir — and taste it too.”