Last week we had the pleasure of attending the private Chef Tasting at Wally Chin’s newest adventure, Walle Restaurant & Lounge located at 249 E 53rd St, New York, NY, 10022. Wally Chin is a restauranteur who caters to high profile celebrity clients, from Derek Jeter, Mariah Carey to Barbra Streisand at a high level of private discretion. Starting as a bartender in New Jersey, he quickly rose through the ranks of general manager, partner to area manager and eventually opened the award-winning Chin-Chin in 1987 with his brother, Jimmy Chin.
Executive Chef Chris Cheung has worked alongside culinary icons Jean George Vongerichten, Iron Chef Morimoto, and Nobu Matsuhisa. His food has been highly acclaimed by New York Magazine, Time Out New York, and The New York Times. Chef Cheung has had appearances on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, The Martha Stewart Show and Food Network Challenge.
Walle reinvents the sophisticated dining experience by adding modern architectural elements into the design of the restaurant. Rich hues of scarlet and gold create a luxurious backdrop for the cool-toned
“W” structures, a mainstay in the center of the dining room. The designs were lead by Kim Chen of CKC Architect.
The entrees were absolutely delicious and affordable (ranging from $14-29). My favorites of the evening were the Walle Burger!
The Walle Burger is paired with a Shanghai Pancake, and Shoestring Potatoes. The Shanghai Pancake gave the burger an extra special kick. Very succulent and highly recommended.
Another favorite was the Sweet Chili Baby Back Ribs and Macaroni and Bleu Cheese. Messy but quite tasty so I didn’t mind. Walle offers a bunch of vegetarian options; Salad of Chinese Greens, Chinatown and Greenmarket Vegetables, Macaroni and Bleu Cheese, and Local Vegetable side dishes.
As the weather warms up, the restaurant will feature a 20-seat outdoor dining area for those who wish to opt for an al fresco dining experience. So hurry over to Walle Restaurant & Lounge and tell him XOJOHN sent you 🙂
Walle Restaurant & Lounge
249 East 53rd Street (53rd Street and 2nd Avenue in Midtown)
212-371-0888