Since Cote Korean Steakhouse debuted in 2017 in New York City’s Flatiron District, the restaurant has helped set the tone for a new generation of steak houses with global flavors, clubby flair and massive tomes for wine lists. Now, after several Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence–winning expansions in Miami and Singapore (plus a recently opened location in Las Vegas), the Cote team is looking to level up on its home turf.
On April 18, restaurant group Gracious Hospitality Management—spearheaded by restaurateur Simon Kim—unveiled a three-part restaurant complex in Midtown Manhattan’s 550 Madison building. As of April, two of the three spaces are open: A second New York location of Cote and a new bar concept, Bar Chimera (named because of its “three-headed” bars, one each for wine, whisky and Martinis). The third concept, an omakase counter from chef Masahiro Yoshitake, is slated to open in the coming months.
“One thing Simon is so great at is fitting the concept to the neighborhood,” says executive director of beverage Victoria James. “This is truly the Madison Avenue version of Cote. We really want to fit the neighborhood and give people what makes sense.”
The design: The new location continues GHM’s partnership with design firm Rockwell Group, which also designed Coqodaq (the group’s restaurant built on pairing fried chicken and Champagne) and Cote Las Vegas.
Guests enter through Bar Chimera on the ground floor, with soaring vaulted ceilings rising above and a full-grown pine tree, a prominent symbol in Korean culture, at the center. Surrounding the tree are luxe booths, and in each of three corners are Chimera’s bars with marble counters and bar seating. Details such as ice buckets carved into the bar tops in the wine area and discreet purse rests next to booths reflect Cote’s signature approach to hospitality.
Simon Kim and the Gracious Hospitality Management team spent years studying the Midtown dining scene. (Clemens Kois)
“Simon wanted this to feel like entering El Dorado,” James told Wine Spectator as she opened a door at the end of an aquamarine-lit tunnel. Beyond it, right underneath Bar Chimera, sits Cote 550—moodily lit and accented with lush, jungle-like fronds. The space includes a separate bar, where guests can order drinks and snacks while looking onto the massive dry-aging refrigerator.
The food menu: GHM executive director of culinary operations David Shim brings the Cote formula uptown, with the multi-course “Butcher’s Feast” ($118 per person)—four cuts of beef with Korean accompaniments, including banchan and kimchi stew—and the signature steak omakase ($225 per person). At Bar Chimera, the menu leans into elevated bar fare, including oysters, as well as other delights including a take on a “Home Run” ball—in Korea a popular crunchy treat filled with chocolate, but here filled with foie gras.
The wine list: Just inside the entrance of Bar Chimera, a display cellar sets the tone; guests are greeted by over 100 bottles of vintage Madeira, dating back to 1835. “One way to make an entrance,” joked the complex’s wine director Andrea Morris, who joined GHM from Best of Award of Excellence winner Essential by Christophe.
Cote is bringing its signature Butcher’s Feast as well as new specialties to Midtown. (Gary He)
As at the other Cote locations, wine is a central part of the experience. The cellar holds over 1,400 bottles, with extensive verticals in Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux and California. “I remember growing up in the wine world, I always worked for places where the cellars were huge—over 1,000 selections,” says James. “Those are rarer now. The cellar is one thing we’re very proud of here—just the audacity of it. When Cote first opened, people thought we were going to serve just soju and beer. And we said, ‘No, we’re a classic New York chophouse. And as such, we should have a beautiful wine list.’”
All bottles are available across the complex, with by-the-glass options varying by space. Bar Chimera even features rare selections poured via Coravin, including Louis Roederer Cristal 2006, Domaine Leflaive Clavoillon 1er Cru Puligny-Montrachet 2007 and Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 2009. (Prices range from $15 for a glass of Riesling to $370 for the Mouton.) More than 70 Madeiras are also available by the glass, including bottlings from nearly every decade dating back to a 1835 Lecock Sercial.
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