Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, their Restaurant Le Rock, and My Podcast
Today on "The Martha Stewart Podcast," I'm releasing my interesting and fun conversation with Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson on the opening of their restaurant Le Rock, a beautifully designed eatery at New York City's famed Rockefeller Center. Be sure to take some time to listen on the iHeart Media App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Riad and Lee have known each other for almost 30-years. They worked at Daniel, Balthazar, Pastis, and Minetta Tavern before opening Frenchette in 2018. With this newest endeavor, Le Rock, Riad and Lee are reinterpreting classic French dishes and breaking away from more traditional menu styles - offering "Cette Semaine" items that change weekly as well as "Tout Le Temps" or what is served "all the time." The night before we recorded my podcast, I had the opportunity to dine at Le Rock - the large and airy Art Deco space was pleasantly lit and every offering we tried was delicious.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- Le Rock is located inside Rockefeller Center’s International Building. On the exterior of the building is this grand carved-limestone relief entitled “The Story of Mankind” by Lee Lawrie and colorist Leon V. Solon. This art work screen is divided into 15 small rectangular spaces created to symbolize and chronicle mankind’s progress.
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- Le Rock features large windows, which let in lots of light from the plaza outside.
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- Here I am at the entrance to Le Rock the evening before my podcast.
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- Inside, guests are greeted by verdigris accents. Verdigris is the common name for blue-green, copper-based pigments that create the patina on copper, bronze, and brass.
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- Custom verdigris colored service shelves are both functional and ornamental.
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- Riad says “every seat is good seat.” He and Lee wanted the restaurant to feel both casual and grand, with plenty of space for every guest.
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- This is the bar, which also features Art Deco designed stools and background.
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- The menu includes their interpretation of many french dishes – broken down into specials and everyday favorites.
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- We enjoyed the bread service with radishes, butter, and crevelle de canut, a French cheese spread.
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- Look at this Dressed Crab, one of their appetizers. Everything was wonderfully fresh and flavorful.
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- Leeks Vinaigrette is from Le Rock’s Tout Le Temps menu.
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- We also tried Escargots Bourguignons – a traditional French dish originating from Burgundy. The dish consists of snails that are baked with garlic and butter.
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- This is Agnolotti Corn Chanterelles from the Cette Semaine menu. Agnolotti is a type of pasta made with small pieces of flattened pasta dough, folded over a filling.
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- And of course, there were fries. Listen to my podcast to find out what we thought about these fried potatoes.
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- For the entrée, we had Duck Aux Epices, or duck with spices.
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- And this Cote de Boeuf. If you remember, I invited Chefs Riad and Lee to join me in making Cote de Boeuf years ago on my television show, Living.
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- I was also very happy to get a personal tour through the kitchen, which is designed differently from traditional restaurant kitchens. Hear why it works for Le Rock on my podcast.
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- The next day, Riad, Lee, and myself met at Newsstand Studios, also at Rockefeller Center. It is a a state-of-the-art podcast studio built out of a retrofitted 1940s newsstand.
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- The studio was comfortable and looked out onto the lobby of the 45 Rockefeller Center – just steps from Le Rock.
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- So, be sure to listen to my podcast later today with Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson – it’s a wonderful discussion about their friendship, their restaurants, and their vision for Le Rock. And please visit Le Rock the next time you’re in New York City – you’ll love it.
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