From Vanity Fair · Elise Taylor · · 2m
Thomas Straker Opens New York Restaurant
Thomas Straker, the British chef with 2.7 million Instagram followers, opens his first New York restaurant in the former Lucky Strike space.
In brief
Thomas Straker, the British chef with 2.7 million Instagram followers, opens his first New York restaurant in the former Lucky Strike space. Thomas Straker, a British chef with 2.7 million Instagram followers, opens his first New York restaurant in the space previously occupied by Keith McNally's Lucky Strike…
First Meeting
Thomas Straker was hungover after drinking with Canadian tourists at Scarr’s Pizza on the Lower East Side.
Hungover Next Day
He texts his general manager about the party, who texts back that the restaurant was a mess.
“Absolutely disgusting in here. Food everywhere, cigarettes on the floor.”
Straker’s Background
Thomas Straker is 36 years old and has a reputation for scandals but is not a degenerate.
London Restaurants
He operates two Michelin Guide restaurants in London: Straker’s and Acre, both in Notting Hill.
Dua Lipa’s Favorite
Dua Lipa named Straker’s one of her favorite restaurants in London.
“Dua Lipa told V Magazine it’s one of her favorite restaurants in London.”
All Things Butter
His butter line, All Things Butter, is stocked in major UK and US retailers and sold 1 million pots in the UK this February.
“sold around 1 million pots in the United Kingdom this February alone”
TikTok and Instagram
Straker has more than 2.5 million TikTok followers and 2.7 million Instagram followers.
“more than 2.5 million TikTok followers and 2.7 million Instagram followers”
New York Restaurant
Straker will open his first New York restaurant, Dorsia, in the former Lucky Strike space.
“Dorsia is one of the investors”
Military School
Straker failed at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where Prince Harry and Prince William studied.
“I failed because apparently I was too immature to do the officer training”
Casa Cruz
He worked at Casa Cruz, a restaurant in Notting Hill with patrons including Victoria Beckham and Prince Harry.
“whose patrons include Victoria Beckham, Prince Harry, and Kate Moss”
Santa Cruz’s View
Juan Santa Cruz describes Straker as "an absolute rebel" who helped make Casa Cruz successful.
“an absolute rebel”
Tattoo and Art
Straker has a tattoo of a fish and his restaurant features art from a $5 billion art collector.
“It’s a bloody butcher fishing fly, his skin still red and shiny from the needle”
Keith McNally’s Reaction
Keith McNally says he feels rage and jealousy about Straker opening the restaurant in his former space.
“Feelings of rage and jealousy”
McNally’s Advice
McNally advises Straker to close his New York restaurant and return to London.
“He wrote to McNally and asked him to get a coffee”
McNally’s Final Words
McNally says he loves Straker’s food but will eat at his New York restaurant every other day for 40 years.
“Although I loathe Tom, I love his food, and I plan to eat at his NY restaurant every other day for the next 40 years or until I die. Whatever comes first.”
The bottom line
Thomas Straker, a British chef with 2.7 million Instagram followers, opens his first New York restaurant in the space previously occupied by Keith McNally's Lucky Strike.
