Award-winning chef and restaurateur, Gray Kunz, will be heading up the new Salt & Char, a modern steakhouse located in Saratoga Springs, which is slated to debut early this year.
“It thrills me to be opening Salt & Char in Saratoga Springs. As a Chef, I am constantly inspired by the Hudson Valley region, a place many consider the market garden of New York, a place that is known to have the freshest ingredients in the state, and a place where farmers dedicated to sustainable and organic practices harvest some of the freshest produce available,” said Kunz. “I have a home in Upstate New York, it's where I go to center myself, to pause and create, and of course, to pursue my own personal passion, which is to cook only the finest of dishes in the most bountiful of locations.”
The opening of Salt & Char marks Chef Kunz’s return to New York. He has also owned restaurants Café Gray and Grayz in New York City, and currently operates Café Gray Deluxe at The Upper House, a luxury and lifestyle five-star hotel located in Hong Kong.
Chef Kunz has partnered with the principals behind the renovation of the historic Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs to form a hospitality management company, The Adelphi Hospitality Group. The group purchased the former Maestro's restaurant, located adjacent to the Hotel and will reveal Salt & Char in early 2016, roughly a year ahead of the opening of The Adelphi Hotel. The Adelphi Hospitality Group will also be responsible for the hotel’s operations.
Chef Kunz drew inspiration for his latest culinary venture from the “distinctive offerings of the region." Salt & Char will offer fresh, high-quality local ingredients and products, and serve “timeless classics with a modern twist.”
“Our goal is to celebrate the best of Hudson Valley by featuring the talented local producers, farmers and artisans,” said Kunz. “Through Salt & Char’s food and beverages, ambiance and warm, welcoming service, our guests will get an introduction to what I love about the area and especially Saratoga Springs.”
The menu will be composed of the high quality ingredients masterfully prepared, and steaks will be made with cuts of regionally farm-raised beef presented in both classic and modern presentations, such as Tomahawk Steak and Sirloin Steak with Flat Bone, as well as Wagyu and dry aged cuts.
For those looking for lighter options, Salt & Char will also offer sustainably sourced seafood and organic chicken dishes among others. Additionally, chef Kunz will be modernizing steakhouse sides with refined dishes such as Crispy Polenta Fries, Creamed Spinach with Crumbled Chiccharones, and Grilled Nopal Cactus Pads. Diners can also end their meal with a sweet note and enjoy desserts such as Ginger-Molasses Sticky Pudding with Caramel Rum Sauce.
Salt & Char is located at 353 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, New York.