Celebrating the unique style of Clyde Walt Frazier.
Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine
It’s been over 30 years since Walt “Clyde” Frazier retired from playing basketball, but this legendary sports icon shows no signs of “stumbling and bumbling”. Partnering with Michael Weinstein and ARK Restaurants, they are opening Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine, a celebration of the unique style of Clyde Frazier.
The former Hall-‐of-‐Fame basketball player (“the Greatest Knick”) is known as much for his flamboyant style of dress, as for his sports acumen. An iconic figure in NYC, Clyde is known to the younger generation as the voice of the Knicks, dishing out his trademark rhymes and dressing fashionably, blending colors, textures, and patterns with cool retro and today’s urban trends. Clyde Frazier’s unique sensibility is celebrated at Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine.
Designed by Pritzker-‐Prize winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis Architects, the three-‐ tiered, 10,000 square foot space is located on 10th Avenue between 37th and 38th Streets. The continuous 190-‐foot long storefront is composed of images from Clyde’s playing years, organized into a dynamic billboard that changes depending on whether the approach is north bound or south bound. The interior space also has a continuous 190-‐foot image wall of Clyde’s playing days.
The most dramatic feature of the restaurant is an aluminum metal ceiling directly inspired by Clyde himself. Patterned after Clyde Frazier’s wardrobe, the ceiling is composed of panels spanning over the entire space, each with a print of one of his classic suits. It is sculptural, colorful and textural, covering the restaurant, bar and lounge into a singular experience. Images of Clyde Frazier also occupy 7 backlit columns throughout the space.
David Waltuck, chef and owner of award-‐winning restaurant, Chantarelle is the executive chef along with Armando Cortes, formerly of the Grill Room. Reviewed several times by the New York Times, twice earning four stars, Chantarelle and David Waltuck have been honored on numerous occasions garnering many of the industry’s highest accolades including the coveted James Beard Foundation Awards: “Best Wine Service” 1999, “Outstanding Service” 2000, “Outstanding Restaurant” 2004, “Best Chef: New York City” 2007.
With Walt “ Clyde” Frazier as its inspiration, ARK Restaurants, David Waltuck and designer Thom Mayn have created a new environment that is at the intersection of architecture, food, fashion and sports.
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