Fungi are everywhere in 2024, and one restaurant is dedicating its entire menu to mycelium.
Third Kingdom, New York’s first ever entirely mushroom-focused dining concept will open on Thursday, February 1 in the East Village. Overthrow Hospitality’s Ravi DeRossi leads the plant-based project.
“It’s no secret that mushrooms have skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade, and the incredible response to &Beer encouraged us to take mushroom-centric dining to the next level,” DeRossi, who was recently nominated for a 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur. “Our intention with this and all of our concepts is to offer elevated plant-based cuisine in an inclusive environment that appeals to everyone, vegan or not.”
A selection of dishes at Third Kingdom
The menu is created with Chef Juan Pajarito of Overthrow Hospitality’s nearby Avant Garden. Chanterelle, oyster, lion’s mane, shitake, hedgehog, black pearl and many more mushrooms are prominently featured in each dish.
Dinner items include a Lion’s Mane dumpling with daikon sauce and micro cilantro; black pearl oyster mole enchilada with epazote sour cream; and beech mushroom with cauliflower cream, nori butter, herb breadcrumbs and parmesan, among others. A weekly rotating “Forager’s Corner” of Yellow Foot Chanterelle and Hedgehog will also be available.
In the kitchen at Third Kingdom
And for dessert, more mushrooms. Lava Cake is served with a scoop of rosemary and porcini ice cream, and a candied shiitake chocolate crumble can also round out the meal.
“I’m so honored to be a part of this incredible team,” said Chef Pajarito. “I am looking forward to welcoming guests into Third Kingdom for some of the most exciting and unique cuisine I have been lucky enough to help create.”
To appeal to mushroom growth and mushroom fanatics alike, Third Kingdom has a moody, Gothic aesthetic. The 50-seat eatery is encased in deep burgundy walls, lined with black banquette seating and handmade Spalted Maple wood tables featuring rugged natural variegation hues and lines as a result of fungus decay. Whimsical mushroom art in gilded frames adorns the space.
Inside the dining room at Third Kingdom
Located next door to Overthrow Hospitality’s &Beer pop-up, the restaurant features a rotating beer selection and an expansive wine list created by Overthrow Hospitality partner Drew Brady.
“The variety of flavors happening with mushrooms make them a natural option for wine pairing,” said Brady. “They provide such a rich base for experimentation, and I can’t wait to introduce some truly exceptional tasting experiences for our guests.”
Third Kingdom is located at 21 East 7th Street. It be open Tuesday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.