The Kitchen Club opened on Prince & Mott Street in a former Italian ‘doughnut shop’ on New Year’s Eve 1990 when John Gotti was still a neighbor and Ray’s Original Pizzeria was in its prime!The restaurant corner became a meeting place for people converging East to West- Little Italy meeting Chinatown.In the beginning business was slow, but shortly Marja had to hire more people to help her as word got out that something very special & Delicious was being cooked up in this not yet ‘NoLita’ land location!
Soon the New York Times and NY Magazine wrote raving reviews. Others followed and the Kitchen Club became a destination – particular favorites its Dumplings, Miso Black cod, Mushroom Medley, Roast Venison in Spicy Raspberry Sauce, Baby Lamb Chops with Plum Miso Sauce, White Asparagus Salad and Linzer Torte!
True to its roots, the Kitchen Club meant ‘home’ to a very large international family, ever expanding, bringing together artists, musicians and other fabulous & or famous guests.
In 1997 Marja’s French Bulldog turned 1 year and decided to open up a Bar named after herself – Chibi’s Sake Bar, featuring 35 different Sakes and Japanese inspired jazzy little dishes – it was an overnight success and Chibi could often be seen dominating the sidewalk on her skateboard or casually greeting customers while their food arrived at the table.
As the Kitchen Club thrived, the neighborhood blossomed – new galleries and boutiques opened, culminating with the arrival of the New Museum in 2008. As a result rents rose radically even as the economy went into recession.
The Kitchen Club closed on New Year’s Eve 2010, celebrating its 20th anniversary, as Marja launched herself into new ventures.
