Gotham West Market – Downtown Magazine

As a continuation of last week’s feature, Downtown caught up with three more representatives of the food-centered paradise that is Gotham West Market:

Indie Fresh’s Shom Chowdhury

Ivan Ramen’s Ivan Orkin

GENUINE Roadside’s Chef Brad Farmerie

Beyond the atmosphere, one of the things that makes Gotham West Market so appealing is that it has something for everyone, no matter their preferences in cuisine or dietary needs. Indie Fresh, as also found in Chelsea Market, is known for its healthy yet delicious fare, carrying the slogan “forget about the cheat day.” Ivan Ramen was created by a New Yorker that did the unthinkable as a foreigner in creating a top-rated ramen shop in Tokyo; Ivan has another location at 25 Clinton Street. GENUINE Roadside is another spot in the GENUINE restaurant series, making food that is inspired by California roadside that can be considered “fast-fine”; Saxon + Parole is one of its sister restaurants as part of the AvroKO Hospitality Group.

For more information on all things Gotham West Market, visit www.gothamwestmarket.com.

Within the past few years, New York City has become host to a number of upscale foodcourts. To you, what makes Gotham West Market different from the others?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: Gotham Market successfully managed to bring a number of top chefs together under one roof who constantly collaborate with each other. The result is a number of chef-made choices under one roof. Gotham Market was also designed to be an upscale food experience from the ground up, unlike a lot of other similar concepts which were converted from something else. It’s very exciting here. Did you know that the market offers free valet bike parking for anyone who rides their bikes there? Amazing.

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: I think Gotham West Market was born from very cooperative small business owners. We all came to the market with the same goals — to increase the exposure of our brands while creating a vibrant, warm, and exciting place for all. We all maintain that commitment, because the market is driven by partners rather than by a landlord. We bring our hospitality expertise to the table and let the food speak for itself.

Chef Brad Farmerie, GENUINE Roadside: Gotham West Market was the market that started it all, so I think it holds a special place in that category as the one that helped start the trend and set the tone for this new genre in dining. Also, the location — many people talk about being on 11th Avenue as “no mans land,” but it’s been great to cultivate a loyal clientele who live and work in the area and appreciate the diversity that we have brought to the area. Being in Gotham West Market has allowed us to interact with a whole new community and bring our food to them.

How did your restaurant wind up in Gotham Market?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: I was and still am a big fan of the Hell’s Kitchen area and the development that’s going on around here. My partner and Chef, Akhtar Nawab already had another great Mexican fast casual concept in the market. I’m also an active road cyclist and Andrew Crook’s NYC Velo Bike Shop in the Market was a huge draw to me. I liked the idea of an athletic destination and the ability to serve healthy food there in a fun environment.

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: At the market’s inception, they were looking for an anchor tenant — I formed an incredible relationship with the management, and thus opened my first U.S. shop. The market gave me access to a new group of customers that I wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise.

Chef Brad Farmerie, GENUINE Roadside: AvroKO worked with Gotham West Market to envision the opportunity of that space and was brought on to design, conceptualize, and run the market along with being offered one of the vendor stalls in the market. We created and developed GENUINE Roadside specifically for this location as an ode to Americana — Angus beef burgers, crunchy fried chicken sandwiches, pulled pork, etc. All with healthy and unique twists that make them memorable.

How would you describe your restaurant to someone who hasn’t yet been there?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: Pretty simple: We create chef-made healthy eats that taste good — forget the cheat day. Our menu items are grab-and-go or plate-and-dine, designed to be consumed cold or hot. In addition to our retail locations, we deliver everywhere in New York City through our website and most if not all third party delivery portals.

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: Ivan Ramen in Gotham West Market embraces a lot of the concepts of a Japanese ramen shop. The food is easy to order, it comes out quickly, and we offer everything from really classic Tokyo-style broths, to plays on more modern foods — all at a very reasonable price point.

Do you have a favorite item on your menu?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: It’s definitely our Wake Up Ashley Coffee and Almond Protein Shake. It’s essentially a meal combined with Grady’s Cold Brew Coffee so you get a boost out of it. I love it because of it’s versatility: breakfast all day, pre-workout, post-workout or snack. It’s also a true collaborative product, designed by trainer — and my girlfriend — Ashley Wilking and Chef Akhtar Nawab.

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: Although I truly enjoy everything we offer, the shoyu and shio ramen are really exceptional. We also have an outstanding vegetarian ramen based on the shoyu broth, that I enjoy as well.

Chef Brad Farmerie, GENUINE Roadside: Our big best seller is also my top choice: The Buttermilk Battered Fried Chicken Sandwich. It’s a big ol’ piece of spicy chicken with a tangy apple-celeriac slaw topped with a punchy sambal mayo. I could probably eat this every day and be happy. But if I’m going for something a little bit lighter, I’d order up the Ahi Tuna Taco — raw marinated tuna with “border slaw” and spicy aioli stuffed into crispy taco shells.

Aside from your restaurant, what is your favorite dining spot in New York City?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: Seamore’s. I love everything on the menu and it’s owned by my boy, and fitness buff, Michael Chernow.

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: I go to Upland and Barney Greengrass as much as I can.

Chef Brad Farmerie, GENUINE Roadside: I spend a lot of time in all of our restaurant kitchens in the city — Saxon + Parole, PUBLIC and GENUINE Roadside and GENUINE Superette — so I generally like to hit something close to the restaurants like Uncle Boons, or something close to my house in Clinton Hill like Pizza Loves Emily, Olmstead, or Speedy Romeo.

When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: I like working out at Barry’s Bootcamp or Soul Cycle, riding motorcycles, running and doing long road cycle rides. I’m lucky to have a chick in my life that does all of these things with me. You could say that I like to stay active!

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: All of my free time goes to my family — I take them to eat really good food, which my wife enjoys, and my kids just tolerate. My kids will rate any restaurant four stars if there’s wi-fi.

Chef Brad Farmerie, GENUINE Roadside: I have kids, Bruno, 8, and Scarlet, 6, so most free time means family time. We do a lot of cooking at home where my kids get to — begrudgingly — help me around the kitchen. They are also active with sports, music, and art so there is a bit of parental participation and support involved in that. I’m also a runner which is one of the only times I get to quiet my mind and escape the city even if just for an hour or so.

Do you have tickets to any upcoming concerts?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: Yes — City Of The Sun this Friday. Check them out if you haven’t heard them yet. Amazing.

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: When I was in high school, I used to see so much live music, and now the opportunities get away from me because I’m so busy. I haven’t seen a concert in forever, and every artist I like is 80 years old. I’m planning a family outing to see The Nutcracker and we’ll probably go to the opera at some point, as well.

Chef Brad Farmerie, GENUINE Roadside: No, but I would love some recommendations…

At one point you had games tables/ping pong at Gotham West Market. How have you seen the crowd dynamic and/or clientele shift since then?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: Ping pong rules, we need to bring it back. No one can beat me at ping pong.

Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen: I haven’t seen it change too much over the years. We’re within close proximity to the intrepid and the theatre district, so there’s always a lot of tourists and families that stroll in; especially on the weekend. There’s a lot of fun things to do here, though. People seem to love the photo booth and the operational postcard mail box.

Finally, any last words for the kids?

Shom Chowdhury, Indie Fresh: If you can start good exercise and dietary habits and cut out all the bad crap early, you live a lot better for a longer time of your life. It starts with today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXxpBqHc8g

In a city with seemingly-endless great dining options, sometimes it can be challenging to pick a restaurant. On top of that, if you are going out with other people with dietary restrictions and/or preferences, it may be hard work to find a place to accommodate everyone involved. Fortunately, a place like Gotham West Market exists, providing an excellent mix of top-notch food and drinks, cafeteria-style seating and a relaxed overall atmosphere.

Called “heaven on earth” by New York Magazine and one of the “50 Coolest Places In NYC” by Complex Magazine, Gotham is popular among foodies and tourists alike. It recently played host to a launch event for Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman’s Stubborn Soda. Its list of vendors includes the sushi fushion of Uma Temakeria, the healthy options of Indie Fresh, the top-rated ice cream of Ample Hills Creamery, the acclaimed Blue Bottle Coffee, the meat and cocktails-oriented The Cannibal, the tapas of El Colmado, the American roadside-influenced GENUINE Roadside, the authentic ramen of Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, and the Mexican fare of Choza Taqueria. It may be easy to label Gotham West Market as “an upscale food court,” yet that description shortcharges the quality of what is on-site.

Downtown had the opportunity to speak with representatives from almost all of Gotham West’s vendors. So much great content was offered up that the second part of those Q&As will post at a later date. In the meantime, more info on Gotham West Market can be found at www.gothamwestmarket.com; the market is also active on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Within the past few years, New York City has become host to a number of upscale foodcourts. To you, what makes Gotham Market different from the others?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Gotham Market has a genuine sense of community. Not only were we the first to jump into this idea of a communal dining market, we did it with a diverse offering of options. It’s a place where you can be just as comfortable popping in for a quick lunch, an after-work cocktail, a casual dinner or a leisurely brunch.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: I think a lot of people who are building/constructing their own food halls have looked to Gotham Market for inspiration and as the pioneer of New York City food courts. Maybe not the first on the scene, however they are certainly the most influential. I think Chris and the Gotham team have built a uniquely-special place where people can gather as regulars or for events and have it feel equally appropriate. All of the operators here are friends and we look forward to seeing each other at work. Isn’t that the way its supposed to be? It is to me these days. Have fun at work.

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: To me it is still the best market available. We have enough seating to accommodate the number of vendors, the variety is varied enough to satisfy almost anyone, without compromising on quality.

Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Gotham Market is small and highly-curated…I think this creates a sense of community among the restaurants lucky enough to be there, and this feeling carries over to customers. There’s a collective energy at Gotham that feels missing in some of the other larger, more sprawling food courts in the city.

How did your restaurant wind up in Gotham Market?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We had always planned on opening a casual tapas bar and were looking for locations when the developers approached us about being a part of the market. All over Spain there are great markets that have small tapas stalls and the idea of Gotham West Market really resonated with us.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: My good friend Chef Seamus Mullen and my partner Matt Wagman’s friend Christian of Cannibal, both were in the market already, suggested we pursue the vacancy. Gotham was looking for concepts that had chef presence and would serve the Gotham clientele and residents in a meaningful way we felt we would fit in well.

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Through networking and contacts with other current vendors.

Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: The folks at Gotham reached out to us and invited us to be there.

How would you describe your restaurant to someone who hasn’t yet been there?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We are a traditional tapas bar with a small kitchen behind the counter and a great mix of classic Spanish tapas paired with an approachable, affordable and well-curated wine program.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Choza is my take on a fast casual Mexican restaurant. The focus is on big flavors with some creative takes on classics. Like carnitas, but flavored with tamarind and chipotle. Tacos are the core of what we do but we also offer salads, bowls, tortas and burritos.

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Uma Temakeria is a sustainably sourced made to order sushi concept.

Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Ample Hills is an ice cream shop dedicated to making playful, fun flavors that transport people back in time to their childhood, and that joy of discovery we all felt the first time we had a scoop of ice cream. We like to tell stories with ice cream flavors, and each of our shops has a flavor unique to that location. Gotham’s is Hell’s Kitchen Sink, an ode to the neighborhood, and the Irish past. It’s a Guinness dark chocolate ice cream with toffee, brownies and cookie dough. We make everything from scratch, including the mix-ins, in Brooklyn.

Do you have a favorite item on your menu?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We always have fun, different riffs on deviled eggs. I’m a huge egg fan so this is definitely my one of my go-to tapas.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Tortilla soup!

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: The Luke’s Lobster temaki or sushi burrito.

Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: For me it’s probably our “SNAP, MALLOW, POP!” flavor. It’s basically a deconstructed rice krispie treat. We melt hundreds of pounds of marshmallows into the ice cream base and then we make our own krispie crunch mix-in. It tastes like the first time you had a rice krispie treat as a kid.

Aside from your restaurant, what is your favorite dining spot in New York City?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: I’m a huge sushi fan and I love Ichimura at Brushstroke and Shuko. I’m also a big fan of Little Park in Tribeca.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: I always choose my restaurants…so after that, Mary’s Fish Camp. I’m a diehard supporter. I have always loved being there. Oysters and a grilled Pompano — when they have it available — are my favorites!

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: I love Umi No Ie.

Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: That’s tough. There are so many great spots in New York. It changes all the time, but maybe Battersby in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: I’m a cyclist so I’m always on my bike, whether racing, traveling or commuting. I’ve also been hard at work finishing my second cookbook, Real Food Heals, which will come out in August of next year.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Spending time with Ela, my daughter is the most fun. After that, I still play a lot of bass guitar still. I just bought an effects board so now I am totally engulfed in weird sounds I can make with my bass.

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Mostly with my family, or cycling.

Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Playing with my kids. They are 7 and 10 and at the perfect age of still — mostly — wanting to play and hang out. Go to the movies, playgrounds, day trips.

Do you have tickets to any upcoming concerts?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl in November!

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Time Stand Still, the RUSH documentary about their 40 years together…will the be nerdiest group of people in one room possible. I can’t wait!

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: I just say Chance The Rapper and Kanye at the Meadows. Nothing immediately planned.

At one point you had games tables/ping pong at Gotham West. How have you seen the crowd dynamic and/or clientele shift since then?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We’re less of a clubhouse and more of a proper place to have a meal and hang out.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: The market has always been a family-friendly place. It seems to be a bit more inline with what the operators are serving without the ping pong tables. Although I am an, self-proclaimed, excellent ping pong player.

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: We still have games! Can you say Hungry Hungry Hippos?

Finally, any last words for the kids?

Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Come and cozy up! The Market is a great place to graze and lazy on an autumn day.

Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Eat tacos!

Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: This is the best market to bring your friends, plenty of room to hang out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXxpBqHc8g