Side Dish can exclusively reveal that next month’s U.S. Open in Queens will feature some of tennis’ biggest stars along with a host of top chefs, including the debut of restaurateur Simon Kim and his cult-hit dish, “Coco Duck.”
The Flatiron District favorite has become known for its Korean fried chicken dishes, with attendees at its opening night party in January including Mayor Eric Adams, Gossip Girl 2.0’s Evan Mock, designer Phillip Lim, actor Ronny Chieng and rapper Busta Rhymes.
Kim, founder and CEO of Gracious Hospitality Management, the group that operates Michelin-starred Côte Korean Steakhouse and CocoDuck, with locations in Miami and the Flatiron District, told Side Dish he was excited to combine his passion for cooking with his newfound love of tennis, which he says he took up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have the largest champagne list in America. [fried chicken] “Paired with champagne, the dichotomy between high-end and low-end creates a dynamic offering that’s perfect for the U.S. Open,” said Kim, whose restaurants also count American tennis player Riley Opelka among their investors.
Foodies will have several other mouthwatering options when the two-week tournament begins Aug. 26 at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow Corona Park.
For the second year in a row, Kwame Onwuachi, the James Beard Award-winning Nigerian-American chef and author of Notes of a Young Black Chef, will open a branch of his popular Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi restaurant, a fine-dining Afro-Caribbean restaurant at Lincoln Center.
“This is such a big sporting event and it’s part of a cultural moment and it’s great to be a part of something that’s so important to New York City,” Onwuachi told Side Dish.
“A lot of people stop by to experience it. I’m just trying to give people an opportunity to experience my food and culture in a place they normally wouldn’t get to experience.”
At the U.S. Open’s fine-dining restaurant, Ace, Onwuachi will be serving dishes such as king crab curry, grilled fish dishes and fried sea bass.
Another Michelin-starred chef, Ed Brown, and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto will also be appearing at Ace.
The site will feature kiosks from Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, whose Michelin-starred Mediterranean bistro Fare is in its fourth year; Mojito by David Burke, a popular Cuban-American fusion restaurant by Chef David Burke; and Fly Fish by Chef Josh Capon, serving lobster rolls, tuna poke and oysters.
Other participating companies include Pat LaFrieda Meat Co., Champions by Benjamin’s Steakhouse, San Matteo NYC, Dos Toros Taqueria, La Casa de Masa, Red Hook Lobster Pound and Hill Country BBQ.
The friendly competition among chefs was part of the appeal for Kim.
Cocoduck’s menu will feature Kim’s iconic “Golden Nuggets” and caviar combination, which will be available on the club floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Cocoduck will also offer a black truffle/24-karat gold menu item called “Black Gold.”
Kim said foodies with deep pockets will be treated to a gold nugget set complete with a tin of caviar and a custom mother-of-pearl spoon in the shape of a tennis racket with the U.S. Open engraved on it.
He added that he and chef Kim Seung-kyung are also working on creating a sauce exclusive to the U.S. Open, as well as summery frozen yogurt in flavors like blueberry and peach.
“We want to bring the best of New York to the U.S. Open,” said Kim. “It’s going to be a fierce battle with world-class players, so I can’t wait to serve up some chicken nuggets.”
Those looking for a sneak preview of food options and a chance to meet their favorite chefs can attend Dobelle Tequila’s annual “Flavors of the Open” on August 22 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Tickets are $184 per person.
The United States Tennis Association and its hospitality partner, Levy, are planning the celebrations.
Quatorze, a longtime customer, is a chef Eric Ripert, Michael J. Fox, MadonnaFor the first time in its 40-year history, the restaurant honoring the late John F. Kennedy Jr. is offering a bar menu and French-style Apero.
Owner Mark Di Giulio founded Quatorze with the late Peter Meltzer in 1984, and for his new location on the corner of First Avenue and East 82nd Street he has brought on new partner Alex McNeice, who was general manager of Quatorze at the 79th Street location. Classic French fare and a new bar menu will be served Monday through Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 pm and Thursday through Sunday from 3 to 6:30 pm. Menu items include market vegetables and charcuterie with goat cheese fondue. Gougeres, steak tartare, and Oysters $1.50, wine by the glass $10, house martinis $12, spritzes $10.
The chef Daniel Boulud Through Labor Day weekend, restaurants around the world, from New York to Palm Beach, the Bahamas, Dubai, Singapore and Toronto, will be serving a special South of France summer menu, “Brut sur Mer,” paired with Château d’Esclans rosé wine. Participating guests will receive a Dining Passport, a $100 gift card and be entered into a drawing to win dinner for four in Daniel’s Skybox.
