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: Paul Liebrandt, the chef behind The Elm, the newly-opened restaurant inside the King & Grove Williamsburg, and formerly of Michelin starred Corton. Where do you like to grab a bite when you're leaving your own restaurant?
I've always been a good fan of Blue Ribbon Sushi. It's a very consistent, great place and open late. It's always been convenient. I've been going there for over a decade. The first time I went, I was a novice to sushi because I had just moved to New York. It was one o'clock in the morning and was a wonderful environment to try [sushi] in.
Outside Blue Ribbon SushiI cannot go there without having the kaki fri oyster roll. It's so delicious. They also do probably the best green tea crème brûlée I've ever seen. There's a really nice agadashi miso broth there, too.
Any fun stories from nights at Blue Ribbon?
A few years ago, I was on a date there and the table next to me was Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake -- when they were still together -- along with Drew Barrymore and whoever she was dating at the time. I didn't even recognize them.
Photo of Liebrandt by Evan Sung