Fork This City

This week on Fork This City, Gabby and Josh are diving into three very different food stories, from some of NYC’s most talked-about restaurants to a fast-food giant facing an unexpected problem.

First, we’re heading to Torrisi, Major Food Group’s inventive take on Italian cuisine that draws inspiration from New York City’s culinary history while pushing the boundaries of what Italian food can be. Then, we’re making our way to Konban in Chelsea, where thick-cut, crispy Japanese katsu is the star of the show.

Plus, we’re breaking down Chipotle’s locker room problem and what it could mean for the brand. From high-end dining to comfort food and the business of food itself, we’re covering what’s worth the hype, what deserves a second look, and what’s happening across the food world.

This week on Fork This City, Gabby and Josh are sitting down with Dennis Turcinovic, the owner of Delmonico’s, one of the most iconic restaurants in New York City and widely recognized as America’s first fine dining restaurant.

Open since 1837, Delmonico’s has spent nearly two centuries making history, welcoming legendary figures like Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain, and helping shape the way America dines. From the origins of the iconic Delmonico steak to the creation of classics like Eggs Benedict and Baked Alaska, its influence on American food runs deeper than most people realize.

We talk to Dennis about how he got involved with the legendary institution, what it takes to carry on its legacy, which dishes you absolutely need to order, and what makes Delmonico’s still stand out in a city that never stops changing. Plus, we get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most historic dining rooms in NYC.

This week on Fork This City, we’re sitting down with James Ragonese and Reno Christou, the co-founders behind Selene, Soho’s newest Greek restaurant.

From their decades of experience in NYC’s restaurant scene to the 15 different menu tastings it took to get things right, James and Reno give us a behind-the-scenes look at building Selene, developing the menu, and what it really takes to run a restaurant in New York City.

We talk favorite dishes, the thought process behind the food, and the realities of bringing a new restaurant to life in one of the toughest dining cities in the world.

This week on Fork This City, we’re heading to Virginia’s in the East Village to try the burger everyone talks about.

Thick patty, sharp white cheddar, caramelized onions, mayo, and yes, we added bacon. But is Virginia’s actually worth the hype, or are there better burgers in NYC?

We also talk about why Virginia’s makes for a great date-night spot, take another call on the Fork Line, and hear a hot take that Sweetgreen is “incredible” 👀 Spoiler: Josh and Gabby have some thoughts.

Then, we’re settling the debate: what are our favorite fast-casual spots in NYC?

Let us know in the comments: where does Virginia’s rank among NYC’s best burgers?

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby are talking chocolate with Dan Abel Jr., Chief Chocolate Officer of Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolates — a company with a history that dates all the way back to 1668.

Dan’s family acquired Bissinger’s in 2019, but the brand has been making chocolate for more than 350 years, starting as the official confectioner to King Louis the Fourteenth in France before eventually making its way to St. Louis.

Josh and Gabby sit down with Dan to hear what it’s like to run a real-life chocolate empire, how you keep a 350-year-old brand relevant to a new generation, and what it took to navigate the pandemic, supply chain challenges, and a changing chocolate business.

#podcast #nycfood #chocolate #bissingers #willywonka #forkthiscity

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby are forking into Ceres, the NYC pizza spot that went from $6 slices to hard-to-get whole pies after Dave Portnoy gave it a 9.2.

They’re trying the ‘nduja with burrata and balsamic, the tomato pie, and the white pie with pancetta, chives, and crème fraîche — and answering the obvious question: is Ceres actually worth the hype?

Josh and Gabby also return to the Fork Line with a voicemail debating one of the great culinary questions: is breakfast for dinner actually elite?

#podcast #nycfood #nycpizza #cerespizza #forkthiscity

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby are sitting down with Christian, the founder of Buena Vista, to hear the story behind one of NYC’s newest spots bringing together the flavors, energy, and hospitality of Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America.

Christian takes them behind the scenes of Buena Vista — from his background in restaurants and international kitchens to the inspiration behind the menu nd the overall experience he wanted to create.

Josh and Gabby also dig into what makes Buena Vista different, how Christian approaches building a restaurant from the ground up, and what goes into creating a place that’s meant to turn dinner into a full night out.

#podcast #nycfood #latinfood #buenaVista #forkthiscity

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby are celebrating a milestone — Episode 40! 🎉

To mark the occasion, they’re forking into Soothr, the East Village Thai restaurant bringing the comfort of generational family recipes and the energy of Bangkok street food to NYC. From traditional Thai noodle dishes to an atmosphere inspired by the bustling streets of Yaowarat Road, Josh and Gabby are breaking down their experience and whether Soothr lives up to the hype.

Then, they’re back on the Fork Line to respond to some of your latest hot takes before wrapping things up with a game of This or That.

#podcast #nycfood #thaifood #soothr #forkthiscity

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby are joined by Miami-born chef, cookbook author, TV personality, and philanthropist Chef Chris Valdes.

From starting his own catering business at just 19 years old to becoming a finalist on Food Network Star and appearing on shows like LIVE with Kelly and Ryan and Hallmark’s Home & Family, Chris has built an incredible career around his passion for food and bringing people together.

They talk about Chris’s journey from the Miami food scene to television, how his Latino roots and Caribbean influences shape his cooking, and the stories behind his cookbook, One With The Kitchen. Chris also shares how he used his platform and passion for food to give back to his community, including helping provide tens of thousands of meals to families in need during the pandemic.

#podcast #foodnetwork #chefchrisvaldes #nycfood

This week on Fork This City, Josh and Gabby are forking into Cleo, the New York rotisserie serving up perfectly roasted chicken alongside classic sides, bright sauces, and seasonal vegetables in a warm, convivial setting.

Then, somehow, Gabby pulls off the impossible: a second visit to Four Charles in just 10 days. While some people can’t even get one reservation, Gabby is apparently living a completely different life. We recap the meal, the experience, and whether Four Charles really lives up to the hype.

And finally, we’re back on the Fork Line, answering your questions, debating your hot takes, and getting into whatever you sent our way this week.