Each week in our Chefs Off Duty series, we talk to some of our
favorite chefs and industry folk around the country to find out their
secret late-night spots where they like to grab a bite and a pint when
their kitchens are finally closed. Next up: Zak Pelaccio, chef and "Spiritual Leader" of the Fatty Crew (the group behind NYC's Fatty Crab, Fatty 'Cue and Pig & Khao restaurants). Most recently, Pelaccio and his wife decamped for the Hudson Valley where they opened Fish & Game in Hudson, a new seasonally-driven restaurant located in an old blacksmith shop that will feature, among other specialties, all sorts of condiments and spirits from kimchi to Worcestershire sauce to vermouth made in-house, along with ingredients foraged from the area.Where do you like to grab a bite when you're leaving your own restaurants?
This new spot out in Bushwick, Fritzl's Lunch Box, is very cool. It's just simply really good food. A guy named Dan Ross-Leutwyler runs it. He and I used to work together. He's a great guy and a talented chef. He's no nonsense and all about the food. [Fritzl's] is a small space and being in Bushwick, it's very affordable. Though I guess Bushwick is no longer very affordable...but he is!
What are some of your favorite things to get there?
He does brilliant work with sandwiches. He does perhaps one of the best burgers around. I don't want to divulge his secret -- although I may have some insight into it -- but it starts with good product, as all good food should. He makes a fried chicken sandwich that's killer. It's really simple with lettuce and mayo on a light roll. It's all about the texture of the chicken, as it should be. He also has a rotation of pastas -- he has a real deft hand with pastas -- that are more often than not brilliant. He had a rigatoncini with a meat ragú that was really delicious. He also did a pasta con sarde -- pasta with sardines -- that was phenomenal. It had a little bit of oil and a touch of reduced tomato, a little bit of pepperoncini to add some spice to it. Very, very, very, very yummy.
What his genius is, is that he can span highbrow and lowbrow effortlessly. I don't know if a lot of people can do it with the style he can.
Any fun stories from trips to Fritzl's?I'm not really at liberty to divulge anything. I've been sworn to secrecy.
Intriguing...
I lead a very intriguing life filled with mystery. I try not to let many people know what I'm doing or where or when because there's so much intrigue in not letting people know.
Keeps people guessing.
If they give a shit. [Laughs]
Fritzl's Lunch Box, 173 Irving Ave., Brooklyn; Daily, 11am-10pm (Fridays & Saturdays 'til 11pm); Closed Tuesdays
Photo of Pelaccio by Zandy Mangold