To intersect is to cross paths. To that point, three of the world’s great cities — Dubai, Tokyo, and now New York — are linked by INTERSECT BY LEXUS. In New York, the luxury car company’s lifestyle concept sits at the heart of the boisterous Meatpacking district. Steps from the High Line and Whitney Museum of American Art, INTERSECT BY LEXUS evokes the cultural crossroads and celebrated history of the area. The space boasts immaculate design woven with thoughtful details and references to Lexus’s evolution.
INTERSECT BY LEXUS, however, is not a showroom. It’s about inviting locals and visitors to step inside the company’s vision for hospitality. World-renowned interior designer Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall gave life to the concept. Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group operates the restaurant, bar, and ground floor café. Two galleries feature works immersive installations from a range of renowned artists while the Crafted for Lexus retail area design wall pays homage to Takumi master craftspeople from Tokyo and New York.
Step out of the bustle of Manhattan’s sidewalks and into the serene café for a coffee, espresso or pastry. Head upstairs to the bar for a perfect cocktail. Book dinner in the restaurant using the Resy app. INTERSECT BY LEXUS takes food and beverage seriously, testified to by the rotating cast of international Restaurants-in-Residence. The latest iteration: Mishiguene by Tomás Kalika.
Kalika, the son of Polish immigrants, was born in Buenos Aires and trained in Jerusalem. Through Mishiguene in Buenos Aires, he honors the Jewish diaspora — the name means “crazy” in Yiddish. Kalika brings the same passion for his hometown restaurant to his temporary home at INTERSECT BY LEXUS. Though exact recreation of the restaurant isn’t the goal, details like plates, glassware, books and other décor reference the spirit of the original.
Though international chefs may come and go, a core team stays behind. They run the day-to-day operations while helping transform the space between decampments and arrivals. Nickolas Martinez serves as the executive chef and Andrea Morris, the beverage director. Morris has the unique task of creating a fresh wine list to complement each new menu.
For example, Kalika focuses the flavors of Jewish recipes from Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East through a contemporary Argentine lens. Sprinkle in a little inspiration from his grandmother’s cooking, like potato Verenikes, and Morris has quite a rainbow of flavors and textures to challenge her pairing skills.
The wine list created for Mishiguene at Intersect is diverse. Starting with bubbles, the list spans the globe, calling on Argentina for a Blanc de Blancs from Uco Valley, as well as classic French Champagnes. South America and Eastern Europe feature prominently for white wines. Chardonnay from Patagonia, and a Sémillon from Mendoza highlight the breadth of the country. Of course, an Argentine-born chef deserves a roster of South American reds and not just Malbec. Fragrant Bonarda and elegant Pinot Noir earn spots, as well as Cinsault from Chile.
After the residency ends a “gift” from the menu stays behind, serving as a welcome to the new team and diners. From the preceding chefs, Sergio Barosso of Santiago’s Restaurante 040, Cod Churros and Greg Marchand of Paris’s Frenchie, Fried Chicken, remain on the bar menu. Through this gift, the past and present intersect.
INTERSECT BY LEXUS, 412 W 14th St, New York, NY 10014
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Last Updated: May 5, 2023
