About
About The Musket Room
Inspired by an era in New Zealand when adventure and discovery blossomed, The Musket Room, which opened in 2013, brings the spirit of New Zealand to the diverse Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan.
Chef and Co-Owner Matt Lambert, a New Zealand native who honed his skills working in some of New York’s top kitchens (Public, Double Crown, and Saxon & Parole, to name a few), draws upon his upbringing and home country’s cooking at the Michelin star-rated restaurant. The menu charts the evolution of New Zealand cuisine, from the country’s Old World traditions and Asian influences to its dedication to local and seasonal offerings, with ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s back garden. Only four months after opening, Chef Lambert, together with his partners, wife & General Manager Barbara Lambert and restaurateur Jennifer Vitagliano, celebrated receiving a highly coveted Michelin star, an achievement that continues to inspire The Musket Room team to provide diners with a unique experience. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star for the third consecutive year in October 2015.
The Musket Room is designed by renowned Alexander Waterworth Interiors incorporating rustic and contemporary design elements to create the restaurant’s simple, yet stunning and award-winning space. Walking into The Musket Room, guests are greeted by a striking 20-foot walnut timber bar, leading back to the bright and airy Garden Room, which offers views of Matt’s backyard garden, whose produce is incorporated in many of the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Lime-washed exposed brick and mid-century modern brass chandeliers add both character and depth to the 70-seat restaurant, while intimate nooks give it a romantic charm.
Dishes at The Musket Room are thoughtful and composed, reflecting Matt’s New American experience and classical French training. A meal begins with inventive starters such as Foie gras torchon with date, granny smith, and hazelnut or Quail with blackberries, bread sauce, and roasted onions. Main courses are creative and beautifully plated; from the mouthwatering Cod with Brussels, pomegranate, yuzu, and grains to the deeply satisfying New Zealand Red Deer with Flavors of Gin enriched with aromas of fennel, juniper, lychee, and licorice. Desserts such as the Pavlova, a modern take on a New Zealand classic, heightened with strawberries and cream, and the Carrot Cake with brown-butter conclude the meal.
In addition to à la carte offerings, guests can experience the restaurant’s short story and long story tasting menus. The restaurant’s wine list features a large selection of hard-to-find New Zealand varieties unrivaled by any other wine list in New York City. The restaurant also boasts a continually updated list of hard to find New Zealand beers, as well as inventive cocktails featuring homemade sodas, tonics, and freshly squeezed juices, as well as in-house barrel-aged specialties.