UPDATE: Food journalist Mark Bittman has just announced the launch of the innovative Community/KITCHEN, a pilot project aimed at redefining restaurant accessibility in New York City’s Lower East Side. This non-profit public restaurant model will officially open on September 19, operating on a sliding scale for diners, and is set to reshape how communities access high-quality meals.
The groundbreaking initiative will pay staff a living wage of over $32 an hour, ensuring that workers are treated with the respect they deserve. Diners will choose from menu prices tiered at $15, $45, and $125, allowing everyone to find an option that suits their budget. The restaurant will be located at The Lower East Side Girls Club on 7th Street and Avenue D, serving dinner from Wednesday to Saturday for the next three months.
Bittman, known for his influential cookbook How To Cook Everything, explained his motivation: “I wanted to do something in food, and I wanted to do something in good food… made accessible to everybody.” He hopes to create a community space where high-quality, locally sourced meals are available to all, regardless of income.
The team behind this project includes Mavis-Jay Sanders, a James Beard Award-winning chef and advocate for food justice, and Rae Gomes, executive director and co-founder of the Central Brooklyn Food Cooperative. Their diverse backgrounds and commitment to social equity are driving the mission of Community/KITCHEN.
“Success looks like getting a lot of feedback,” Gomes stated. The team is eager to learn from the community, ensuring that their offerings resonate with local diners. They aim to create an inclusive atmosphere where patrons feel comfortable and welcome, transforming dining into a communal experience.
In a city where fine dining often comes with a hefty price tag, Bittman’s approach offers an alternative: “You can go to a great restaurant… but it’s only accessible to people who pay $150 to $100 per meal. So how do you make it accessible? You do a sliding scale,” he explained.
The advisory board features culinary icons like Alice Waters and José Andrés, lending credibility and support to the project. The team carefully selected the Lower East Side Girls Club as their location, emphasizing the importance of community alignment and partnership.
As the pilot phase unfolds, the team is focused on gathering insights from diners to shape the future of Community/KITCHEN. They aspire to expand this model to serve more neighborhoods, with hopes of establishing a lasting presence in the Lower East Side.
Bittman expressed his vision for the restaurant: “We want people to come here and feel like you’re going to your favorite cousin’s house.” The menu will feature seasonal dishes that tell stories of the community, with each meal crafted to surprise and delight.
With the opening just around the corner, this initiative is being watched closely by those who believe in equitable food access. Bittman and his team are ready to redefine the dining experience in New York City, making high-quality meals available to everyone.
Stay tuned for updates as Community/KITCHEN prepares to welcome its first diners on September 19. This project has the potential to change how New Yorkers view dining out, making it more inclusive and community-oriented.
