Michael Lomonaco

Michael Lomonaco is an American chef, restaurateur, and television personality. He is best known as the chef/director for Windows on the World, the restaurant located atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The restaurant was destroyed in the September 11th attacks and many staff members, who were working at the time, died. Lomonaco has rebounded with the opening of Porter House, which was named by Esquire magazine one of America's Best New Restaurants in October 2006.

LeCirque and 21

Lomonaco started his culinary education at New York City Technical College's Hotel and Restaurant Management program, graduating in 1984. He quickly rose to fame during the 1980s at New York's famed restaurant Le Cirque, working under renown chefs Alain Sailhac and Daniel Boulud. Later that decade, Lomonaco moved on the another legendary New York institution, 21 Club. He revitalized the restaurant, known for its storied history as a Prohibition-era speakeasy and celebrity patrons, by revamping the menu by eliminating some old the Continental standbys in favor of updated American fare. Lomonaco remained at 21 until 1996. While at the restaurant, he published a book of recipes from the restaurant.

Windows on the World

In 1997, Lomonaco took on the task of Executive Chef/Director for Windows on the World, located on the 106th and 107th floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. Again, he updated the menu from traditional French to modern American cuisine with great success. In response, the restaurant became one of America's highest grossing restaurants three years in a row.^[1] As executive director, Lomonaco was responsible for the main dining room, as well as the smaller Wild Blue restaurant, and the bar called The Greatest Bar on Earth.^[2]

Lomonaco barely escaped the September 11 attacks when he stopped first at the lobby of 1 World Trade Center to get his glasses fixed. The first plane crashed when he was about to head upstairs, and he was evacuated from the lobby shortly afterwards.^[3]

Newest ventures

Reeling from the shock of September 11, the loss of his restaurant, staff and friends, Lomonaco became a consulting chef to Noche, a multi-story, midtown restaurant and nightclub highlighting the cuisines of Latin America and the Caribbean.^[4] Many former employees of Windows on the World followed Lomonaco to this new venue, when it debuted in 2002. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived and Noche announced its closing in late 2004. He also served as a consultant for Guastavinos, a restaurant located under Manhattan's 59th Street Bridge.

In 2006, Lomonaco opened Porter House New York, an American grill in newly opened Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle.^[5] With 140 seats and views of Central Park South, the venue has garnered positive reviews for its contemporary American menu.^[6]

Television and media career

Before a culinary career, Lomonaco's goal was to be an actor, which he pursued for eight years.^[7] His training in this field has led the chef to combine his two passions in front of the camera. Lomonaco is the co-host of the Discovery Channel's program Epicurious. Previously he hosted Michael's Place on the Food Network for three years. He has also made appearances on talk shows and cooking programs such as In Julia's Kitchen with Master Chefs.^[8] He also guest starred in season five's episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, titled Disappearing Manhattan.

Lomonaco has also been a featured chef on Great Chefs television.^[9]

Lomonaco is a co-author of The 21 Cookbook, published by Doubleday in 1995, commemorating his recipes at the famed restaurant. In 2004, he released "Nightly Specials: 125 Recipes for Spontaneous, Creative Cooking at Home".^[10] He has written articles and recipes for many magazines, including New York magazine, Gourmet and Food & Wine.

Teaching and charity

When not in his restaurant, Michael Lomonaco can be found teaching future chefs at City University of New York, the Culinary Institute of America and Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan. He also makes appearances as a guest chef at the International Hotel Show, the Chicago Restaurant show and Festa Italiana Seattle.^[11]

After September 11, Lomonaco co-founded the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, in order to generate support for the families of all restaurant and food service workers lost in the attacks. He also participates in cooking events that benefit causes including the March of Dimes, City Harvest and Share Our Strength.

References

External links

• Interview with Lomonaco, photos and video at Porter House
• Porter House official website
• Magazine review of Porter House by Esquire
• Guastavino's website
• Profile at Great Chefs