Windows on the World chef reflects on restaurant's legacy
New York Post • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Star chef Michael Lomonaco narrowly avoided the September 11 attacks due to a last-minute trip to LensCrafters, while 79 of his colleagues at Windows on the World perished in the tragedy.
- Lomonaco revitalized Windows on the World after its 1996 reopening by pioneering farm-to-table cuisine and elevating the restaurant into the highest-grossing in the U.S., blending local ingredients with fine dining.
- The restaurant was a cultural and social hub in New York City, attracting celebrities and diverse staff from around the world, creating a unique dining "theater" experience before its destruction on 9/11.
- After the attacks, Lomonaco struggled with survivor's guilt but continued his culinary career in New York, opening notable restaurants like Porter House Bar & Grill and currently leading Brasserie Cognac Américain.
- Lomonaco honors the legacy of Windows on the World by emphasizing respect for all staff roles and maintaining a commitment to hospitality, as highlighted in the documentary “Top Of The World” streaming on CNN.
