Wildair Alumni open Demo in the West Village
From morning till night, a space for gathering.
Wildair alumni Jacob Nass and Chef Quang “Q” Nguyen, and partner Ian Henderson-Charnow (Greenberg’s Bagels) are opening Demo on Tuesday, February 6th in the West Village.
This stylish new all-day eatery transitions from daytime—baked goods, coffee, and a general store (8am-3pm)—to evening (starting at 5pm) with an appealing menu that gracefully straddles Italy, France and Spain—dishes like Chopped Radicchio with Tahini with Za’atar, Persimmon with Whipped Ricotta and Sunchokes; Scallop Crudo with Gremolata; and Crabs Casino with Café Paris butter.
Larger plates sound like this: Steak with Blistered Red Peppers, Monkfish with Clams, Savoy Cabbage, and Lentils; Arroz a la Plancha, a sort of paella, with mushrooms, blanketed with melted tallegio and fontal; and Lobster au Poivre with Fries.
Q has a kind of cool backstory: he studied trombone for 11 years in college before starting his restaurant career in Texas and New Orleans, but working front of the house. When he moved to New York City, he shifted to the back of the house, cooking in top kitchens including Má Pêche, Cosme, and Wildair, where he met Jacob and Ian.
Jacob, who runs wine and service, has curated an all natural wine list from smaller producers featuring lesser-known varietals. “We are carrying wines from folks making wine in a sustainable traditional style rooted in tradition and a sense of place,” he told me the other day when I stopped in as contractors hung lights and folks discussed when the wall separating the dining room from the bar would finally come down.
Demo channels a cool Max’s Kansas City vibe, a nod to New York City’s downtown art and punk rock scenes. There are dark chocolate leather booths, lots of polished wood, and warm schoolhouse lighting focused on an rectangular open kitchen and chef’s counter. Antiques sourced at Brimfield are scattered throughout, lending the room a warmth that comes from second-hand treasures.
The name “Demo” might sound like a construction site, or a musician’s cut, but it is actually an homage to Father Demo Square, the little concrete park just down the road at the end of Carmine Street. It’s named for Anthony Demo, the Catholic priest and longtime civic activist in the neighborhood. “There's no religious affiliation here at Demo. We just liked the sound of the name,” Jacob told me. “It’s an homage to the neighborhood, but we liked that it can also mean a few different things; maybe like putting down a track, or a mixtape like a demo, or if you’re into building, a stage for building something new.”
Demo will be open Tues.-Thurs. from 5 p.m.-11 p.m., last reservation at 9:30; 5 p.m.-12 a.m. on weekends, last reservation at 10:30. The cafe will be open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.