An Acclaimed Korean Chef Will Open His Most Ambitious Restaurant Yet, Right in Times Square | Eater NY

"Reservations are live for a 22-seat, reservation-only chef’s counter tucked behind Gui’s dining room at 776 Eighth Avenue that marks Sungchul Shim’s most personal project yet, where he works beside a custom grill to assemble a 13-course, $295 tasting menu exploring Korean techniques like charcoal grilling and fermentation while pulling in broader East Asian flavors. Early highlights include golden eye snapper, squash blossoms, and Chungju consomme; a mushroom tart with porcini mornay; foie gras duck pastrami with fermented black rice; and cast-iron pot rice with pike mackerel. Set in its own theater-like room, the circular marble counter with brass detailing and underlighting puts diners in front of the kitchen, with mother-of-pearl inlays and custom ceramics underscoring Shim’s heritage and artistry, and drinks from bar manager Gelo Honrade riffing on Asian ingredients; reservations are required via Tock." - Melissa McCart