A Memorial was held at T-Bar Steak & Lounge in New York to celebrate the life of owner Tony Fortuna. Led by Co-owner Derek Axelrod, leading lights from the world of hospitality came together to celebrate Tony and the announcement of a Fortuna Foundation being created in his honor where chefs will come together to make a special evening for donors to help others.
Notable attendees included co-owner Derek Axelrod, Arthur Backal, Jean-Georges Vongerrichten, Charlie Palmer, Eric Ripert, Sandra Ripert, Geoffrey Zakarian, Francois Payard, David Burke, Alfred Portale, Drew Nieporent, Paola Pedrignani, Hassan el Garrahy, Mark Strausman, Jeremy Wladis, Penny and Peter Glazier and Rosanna Fresco. Food Writers and Experts from the Media included Florence Fabricant and Tim & Nina Zagat in addition to other guests and close friends of Tony including Neal Sroka.
About T-Bar:
A classically-chic Upper East Side eatery, T-Bar Steak and Lounge offers outstanding cuisine in a casual yet elegant space. Under the watchful eye of Derek Axelrod and Executive Chef Ben Zwicker, T-Bar is a new spin on the classic upscale steak house. The menu features a wide range of dishes, ranging from well-cooked renditions of classics, to refined and inventive plates, providing the ultimate dining experience.
Open for lunch Monday through Friday, brunch Saturday and Sunday, and every night for dinner, T-Bar serves prime beef steaks, as well as a mélange of grilled fish, chopped salads, burgers and pastas. A long list of perfectly-prepared side dishes, like the Sautéed Haricot Verts with garlic, or the Roasted Brussel Sprouts with shallots, complement each entrée on the menu. Chef Zwicker, who has worked at other prestigious kitchens including Four Seasons, Aureole, and Petrossian, has crafted a decadent desert menu, including the popular Banana Parfait Mille Feuilles with coconut and caramel sauce. The specialty cocktails, made quickly and consistently, are expertly crafted and presented, and the wine list is both extensive and thoughtful.