Chef Daniel Humm and business partner Will Guidara are best known for their work at the Michelin-starred restaurants The NoMad and Eleven Madison Park, which was named the best restaurant in the world.
But now the team is planning to bring their award-winning food to the masses with a brand-new fast-casual concept called Made Nice.
"At Made Nice our goal is to serve guests delicious, composed dishes, that are affordable and quick – using the recipes, skills, and techniques we've perfected at Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad," Humm told Business Insider by email.
"This is the most casual restaurant we've opened, but we still want it to be delicious, to have gracious hospitality, and to embody all the values we employ at Eleven Madison Park and NoMad."
At Eleven Madison Park, a several-hours-long tasting menu costs $295 a person, but at Made Nice, guests can get a salad for between $11 and $15.
Infamous New York Times food critic Pete Wells recently reviewed Made Nice and was not impressed, giving the restaurant a stunning zero stars. Of the chicken and rice dish, Wells says, "The chicken seems exhausted. Imagine a chain of Cuban restaurants started by retired employees of the Olive Garden. This could be their arroz con pollo."
But comparing this fast-casual concept to a world-renowned contemporary restaurant is unjust — here's what we thought.
The dishes have the same visual artistry you would expect from a meal at the team's high-end restaurants.
The vibe, however, is altogether more welcoming and informal.
"We like to think of Eleven Madison Park as the type of restaurant you go to once a year, or to celebrate special occasions, NoMad as the restaurant you visit once a month for a fun night out, and we hope that Made Nice becomes a place where you can visit multiple times a week," Humm said.
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