Concept: Restaurateur Barry Dry is expanding his successful Hole in the Wall downtown concept to incorporate an Australian style dinner-focused destination from Executive Chef Brent Hudson at 626 1st Avenue in Murray Hill this Spring. The 2,000 square foot space will feature an extensive seasonal dinner menu in addition to their renowned cafe fare throughout the day. The al-fresco area will seat an additional 45 patrons during the warmer months and it is steps from the East River Ferry’s 34th Street stop. The brand new location boasts 28-foot glass walls on three sides along with a plant covered fourth wall. Hole in the Wall has also partnered with JDS Developments for the rooftop event area. Referred to as Sentry, the rooftop includes a capacity of 242 people and it has a 60-person pool, which can be converted to a Jacuzzi, this will open Memorial Day Weekend and will also be a members-only and event space concept. Hole in the Wall currently includes a flagship cafe at 15 Cliff Street in FiDi, which transforms into Sugar Momma restaurant and cocktail bar at night.
Chef: Executive Chef Brent Hudson is renowned for his Australian style cooking fused with Asian influences. His career extends all the way to his teenage life, working as a kitchen hand in a busy, tourist filled beach cafe in his hometown of Wollongong, Australia. Since then he has worked his in place the ranks of several award-winning restaurants from apprentice, to go chef, to opening and developing kitchens of their own. Following a life-changing trip to america in 2015, Brent discovered a brand new found passion for American style cuisine and left the country inspired to return in to the kitchen. A few years later he earned America his home and is now Executive Chef of both Hole in the Wall locations in NYC.
Owner: Barry Dry was created in Perth, Australia and studied Business Management and Economics at Notre Dame University around australia. Throughout his academic tenure, he ran a restaurant, working his in place from dishwasher, to General Manager. After graduating, he moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a career in finance. It didn’t take long for Barry to understand that hospitality was his true passion, so he left the financial world behind and opened Hole within the Wall coffee shop in 2014. Barry and his team then ventured towards the Financial District, opening another Hole within the Wall café in 2017 and transformed that space during the night into a sexy restaurant, lounge and cocktail bar called Sugar Momma. Additionally, Dry teamed up with NEO U fitness studio on 5th Avenue to spread out NEO Café inside, serving up fresh juices, smoothies and acai bowls. Hole in the Wall’s Murray Hill location would be the largest to date.
Food: The new Murray Hill restaurant will offer dinner entrees like the OG Burger grilled Wagyu beef patty, double smoked bacon, miso onions, pickles and aged Amish cheddar on the milk bun with Fried potatoes & special sauce, Char Grilled Branzino Filet Tuscan kale, hazelnut butter and polenta crisps, Mustard Glazed Pork Neck with fennel potato salad, walnut apple chutney, pickled mustard seed and a Mishima Reserve, a Wagyu Sirloin Flap with Hasselback potatoes, black garlic, shitake and pan jus and a Vegan Bolognese with king brown Shiitake Duxelle, caponata and dried yeast flakes. Small bites like Lollipop Lamb and oysters may also be on the menu daily. Desserts include a Chocolate Tart with salted peanut butter sauce and popped corn in addition to a Banana Tart with caramel and vanilla bean frozen treats. A complete brunch menu will launch in May.
Beverages: Hole within the Wall will offer you an extensive natural wine list, craft beers and signature cocktails like the Cucumber Margarita, Rosemary Old Fashioned and Milo Espresso Martinis.
Photo credit Samantha Hillman
Hole within the Wall
626 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 646-858-0401
Website: www.holeinthewallnyc.com
Opening Date: May 8, 2019
Days/Hours of Operation: 7am – Midnight, Daily
Capacity: 80 inside and additional seating for 45 outside
Social Media: Instagram @holeinthewall
