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This November, famed restaurateur Danny Meyer (pictured above) - co-owner of perennial successes like Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern and Union Square Café - is opening a new Italian restaurant at the landmark Gramercy Park Hotel called Maialino. “I’ve dreamed of opening a trattoria ever since I lived in Rome, and have been waiting for just the right time and place”, said Danny Meyer.
According to the press release, the name recalls Danny’s time in Rome and working as a tour guide for his father’s travel company. His Italian boss, Giorgio, immediately took to calling him “Meyerino” (little Meyer). Danny’s favorite part of the job was to bring his tour groups to a different trattoria every night, where he’d unfailingly order “Maialino” (roast suckling pig) for dinner. In homage to Danny’s love for pork – and in jest – Giorgio transformed Meyerino into “Maialino.” His ear unaccustomed to Giorgio’s dialect, it was weeks before Danny became aware that his nickname had now become “Little Pig.”
Now, more than 30 years later, Danny Meyer and Ian Schrager are teaming up for the November opening of this new neighborhood Roman trattoria overlooking Gramercy Park. Designed by the Rockwell Group, Maialino will be located on the first floor of the hotel - where the defunct Chinese Wakiya once stood - and will capture the warmth and comfort of a traditional Roman trattoria, re-imagined for its contemporary setting. The front bar area will serve as a local coffee bar in the morning and will later transform itself into a wine bar serving small plates of food throughout the day and into late evening. Beyond the bar, the trattoria will feature wood planked floors, wainscoting, and windows overlooking Gramercy Park. Maialino will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The executive chef will be Nick Anderer, former Executive Sous Chef at Gramercy Tavern, where he initially cooked under Chef Tom Colicchio, and for the past three years under Chef Mike Anthony. Prior to joining Gramercy Tavern, Nick worked at Babbo under Mario Batali, as well as San Giorgio et il Drago in Milan. Food lovers may recognize Nick’s name from Bill Buford’s bestseller, Heat, in which Nick was a key player in the Babbo kitchen during Buford’s apprenticeship at the Italian eatery.
Gramercy Park Hotel: Av. Lexington, 2, tel. (1-212) 920-3300,
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