Tastemaker Guide: Sohui Kim

Text by Sohui Kim Wednesday, May 25, 2022
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In 2021, Gage & Tollner makes a classy-as-ever comeback with restaurateurs Ben Schneider, St. John Fritzell, and Korean-born chef Sohui Kim partnering at the helm. Inspired by the flavors of its archives and reinvigorated with Executive Chef Sohui Kim’s inventive and meticulous approach, Gage & Tollner is back and better than ever. Hear Chef Sohui Kim's neighborhood picks below.

9 Questions with Sohui Kim

Chef and Restauranter at Gage & Tollner

BkT: One word to describe your neighborhood?

SK: Busy, busy, busy!

BkT: What’s your ideal weekend morning spent around the neighborhood?

SK: Watching people peer into Gage & Tollner

BkT: Favorite place to catch up with an old friend?

SK: Sunken Harbor Club Bar

BkT: Favorite date spot?

SK: Gage & Tollner!

BkT: Best breakfast spot?

SK: Apollo Diner

BkT: Best place for people watching?

SK: The steps of the Borough Hall Court Building

BkT: Where you treat yourself?

SK: SHEN (never been but I'd like to treat myself there sometime).

BkT: A must-try in the neighborhood?

SK: Spicy & Sour Lamp Dumplings at Xi'an Famous Foods

BkT: The neighborhood wouldn’t be the same without _____?

SK: Fulton Mall!

BIPOC-owned, Women-owned

Gage & Tollner

Walk into Gage & Tollner and you’ll know its walls have stories to tell. The iconically Brooklyn establishment first came to the neighborhood 137 years ago, and has been in its current location, on and off, for the past 129 years. From Day One, it was notable for its exquisite selection of liquors, libations, and fresh food, but really hit its stride in the 50s, when it was named “one of the world’s best seafood restaurants.”  By 1975, it had garnered landmark status, granted by The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. It is the third-ever space in New York City to be designated an interior landmark (in the footsteps of New York Public Library and Grant’s Tomb) and the only standalone restaurant in the city’s history to hold both interior and individual landmark status. In a sad turn, the building was bought out in 2004 and its top floors converted to office space and ground floor cycled through various other restaurants and retailers. Finally, in 2021, Gage & Tollner makes a classy-as-ever comeback with restaurateurs Ben Schneider, St. John Fritzell, and Korean-born chef Sohui Kim partnering at the helm. Inspired by the flavors of its archives and reinvigorated with Executive Chef Sohui Kim’s inventive and meticulous approach, Gage & Tollner is back and better than ever. Eat up, Brooklyn.

MAP