Summer has arrived—and with it, a slate of restaurants that has us positively buzzing. Out in California, the James Beard Award finalist Tara Monsod debuted the French steakhouse Le Coq and Ben Shenassafar, a co-founder of the streetwear label the Hundreds, launched the Benjamin Hollywood. Texas, meanwhile, saw a couple of notable openings: the London-inspired Marigold Club in Houston and the dessert bar Nicosi in San Antonio.
Plus, Rezdôra’s Michelin-starred chef has given us a follow-up spot in New York—Massara, which celebrates the flavors of Campania. Below are the five most exciting new restaurant openings of June. Ben Shenassafar has already made waves in the fashion world as a co-founder of the Hundreds.
Now he’s bringing his entrepreneurial spirit to the culinary realm. The Benjamin Hollywood is serving a menu of American classics with a luxe bent, as dreamt up by the executive chef Johnny Cirelle. Think shrimp cocktail to start, followed by a burger or an Australian Wagyu New York strip steak with Cognac cream sauce, and a twice-baked potato on the side.
The drink menu includes whole sections devoted to both Martinis and sparkling cocktails. And yes, the staff is decked out in custom chore coats designed by Shenassafar’s brand. The chef Stefano Secchi has a hit on his hands with the Michelin-starred Rezdôra, and now he’s expanding his reach with Massara .
Instead of focusing on the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna, though, he’s trained his eye on Campanian.
