FINANCIAL DISTRICT — An expansive new food market is bringing a host gourmet fare to the Financial District, around the clock.
Recently launched Open Kitchen, on the corner of William and Beaver Streets, aims to offers something for everyone, said owner William Kim.
"We want this to be a high-quality neighborhood place, where you can find everything from expertly made sushi to a pastrami sandwich, to gourmet coffee or basic staples, like bread, milk and cheese,” said Kim, who's lived in the Financial District for more than 10 years. “There’s nothing like this down here, and we're open 24 hours a day — so you can always stop by."
The centerpiece of the large market is its variety of food "stations." Customers can head to various counters: a deli, a fresh sushi bar, a meat and chicken carving station that also offers hot sides likes fries, mashed potatoes and corn, as well as a salad bar and a Mediterranean corner, which serves up meat and chicken gyros, chickpea salad and other fixings.
The market, which opened last week, will also soon launch a hot gourmet sandwich station, a stir-fry and ramen counter, as well as a burger station.
Customers can also pile up food-to-go, or eat in, at Open Kitchen’s cold and hot food bars. Items in its rotating selection include paella, short ribs, and marinated mozzarella salad.
Open Kitchen, which sells its own housemade pastas and sauces, also has a sit-down café area, featuring Intelligentsia coffee and espressos, as well as teas and a selection of muffins, brownies and other pastries. The market will also soon be making its own donuts, said Kim.
Plus, the eatery offers a large outdoor seating area.
"We use high-quality ingredients, and have wonderful chefs working with us," said Kim. "Our goal is really to provide the best food and service we can to this community."
And, the store will also soon be providing beer and wine, Kim said.
Several locals seemed enthused about the new eatery on Thursday.
"This is already my second time here," said Pedro Olivera, 28, as he ate his lunch of short ribs and sauteed veggies. "I live in the neighborhood, the food is good and the place is always open, that's a big plus down here."
Nicholas Carey, who's worked downtown for several years, popped in for an espresso on Thursday.
“It looks surprisingly hip in here for the Financial District,” said Carey, 30. “And more importantly, the coffee is good — I’ll be back.”
