Four years ago, when The Grey took home Best New Restaurant, owner Johno Morisano had humble hopes.
“We want to be that neighborhood spot,” he said at the time. “And if we become one of those spots in five years, I’ll call it success.”
Well, a lot has happened in those four years, like Chef Mashama Bailey winning Best Chef: Southeast at the James Beard awards, as well as much more acclaim. But with the launch of The Grey Market, Morisano’s picture of success has come true, with one year to spare.
The Grey Market is Morisano and Bailey’s combination of a New York bodega and a Southern lunch counter, a big-city idea with a little drawl.
Step into the Grey Market and immediately feel welcomed. You’re free to grab what you need and go, or sit down and stay a while.
Bailey’s fantastic cooking transitions well into a simpler lunch menu. The Smoky Pig adds pepper relish to pulled pork, a perfect combination. There’s a daily melt and a rotisserie chicken special, as well as bakery items and a soda fountain.
In true bodega style, The Grey Market has convenience items for purchase, from a toothbrush to a bottle of wine. Talk about the perfect neighborhood spot. — Rachael Flora
Runner-up: The Emporium