NoMad Gets 17-Skewer Mediterranean Spot

Skëwr is the latest venture from JK Park Hospitality, a group founded by restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi and hotelier Kanvar Singh. Rizvi is the force behind the acclaimed Indian restaurants GupShup and the highly sought-after Bungalow, which earned a three-star review from The New York Times. Singh is known for his work with rooftop concepts like Elsie Rooftop. The restaurant's design, crafted by Jimmy Rizvi's sister-in-law Shaila Rizvi, aims for a warm, Mediterranean feel with lime-plaster walls, whitewashed finishes, and sun-warmed wood floors. Shaila Rizvi also designed the interiors for Bungalow, which were inspired by the social clubs of a bygone era in India. At the helm of the open-fire kitchen is Executive Chef Austin Torsiello, whose resume includes time at the Michelin-starred restaurants Junoon and Masa. The menu centers on the live-fire grill, with standout skewers ranging from diver scallops to spiced lamb adana and thin-sliced wagyu. The house-made pita dough undergoes a two-day fermentation process. While Rizvi's recent success has been in modern Indian cuisine, this isn't his first foray into Mediterranean flavors. He previously opened Korali, a Greek estiatorio on the Upper East Side, in 2015 and another Mediterranean concept in the West Village in 2017. Skëwr is located within the Park South Hotel, joining the Japanese-inspired cocktail bar Stone & Soil as part of JK Park Hospitality's takeover of the hotel's food and beverage program. This move signals a growing trend of creating distinct dining destinations within hotels. The NoMad neighborhood provides a competitive landscape for upscale Mediterranean dining. Skëwr will be vying for diners alongside established favorites like José Andrés' Zaytinya, the Lebanese restaurant ilili, and the modern Middle Eastern spot Lamalo.