Most would agree that food and art go hand-in-hand. The same goes for bad boy chef, Chris Santos, who uses the pair to inspire his newly opened restaurant, Vandal. He may be a no-nonsense judge on the Food Network’s hit show ‘Chopped,’ but this restaurateur/chef has a soft side for global street food and the artistic influence of cultures.
Located on the historic Bowery in New York’s lower east side (LES), the bi-level urban, chic space houses two bars and lounges including one in the cellar, a garden dining area, and private dining room. Chef Chris is a vet when it comes to the LES dining scene. With two successful and trendy dines, The Stanton Social and Beauty & Essex, Vandal is a welcomed new kid on the block.
The restaurant offers diners a world class experience of diverse small plates and tantalizing drinks while praising neighborhood and global art and architecture. When forming the concept, Chef says he wanted the “menu to be a culmination of inspiration from [his] life travels and includes nods to street fare from locations as varied as New York, Rome, Peru and Hong Kong.” As a result, dishes like snapper tostadas, lobster and sweet potato soup dumplings, Argentinian beef empanada and Chicken Katsu & Hong Kong egg waffles are served very evening to guests.
There’s a surge of buzz surrounding Vandal’s opening. No doubt the restaurant will see great success and yet, Chef Santos has more up his sleeves. Plans are slated for more restaurant project openings in Los Angeles and Las Vegas summer 2016.
199 Bowery, New York, NY 100002
212-400-0199
cannycandi.com 