From Gabriel Stulman, the restaurateur behind a handful of spots in New York’s West Village, Simon & The Whale – a name inspired by the whale-patterned gifts given to his toddler Simon – is a corner street-facing neighbourhood restaurant on the ground floor of the city’s new Freehand hotel.
As with the rest of the property, design firm Roman and Williams has highlighted the original details of the building – the former George Washington Hotel – while revealing its signature aesthetic with a warm palette of Iroko millwork, rich mint-hued marble, green ceramic tiles and burnished brass accents throughout.
A laidback and cosy setting then, to indulge in chef Matt Griffin’s modern American menu which includes dishes such as the black bass crudo served with shiso, puffed rice and coconut milk; tasty cauliflower dressed with veal tongue pastrami; and the deliciously crips pork collar Milanese topped with aioli, apricot mostarda and arugula.
Upstairs, Stulman also oversees Studio, the light-filled all-day café and the George Washington Bar, an intimate den, set in the former library, where cocktails such as Nothing Gold Can Stay – a concoction made with dry vermouth, umeshu, benedictine and sakura – are served alongside a menu of small bites.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
23 Lexington Avenue
-
Usher opens up about breakfast playlists, banana pudding and why a glass tumbler is always on his riderOn the heels of a collaboration with Baccarat, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter breaks down his entertaining tips. 'Hosting is an expression of how you feel about your guests and also who you are.'
-
The beauty trends that will define 2026, from ultra-niche fragrances to anti-ageing dental careAs we enter the new year, we speak to experts in fragrance, skincare, aesthetics, wellness and more about the trends that will be shaping the way we look
-
The most stylish hotel debuts of 2025A Wallpaper* edit of this year’s defining hotel openings. Design-led stays to shape your next escape
-
The most stylish hotel debuts of 2025
A Wallpaper* edit of this year’s defining hotel openings. Design-led stays to shape your next escape
-
The Wilke is LA’s answer to the British pubIn the Brentwood Village enclave of Los Angeles, chef and restaurateur Dana Slatkin breathes new life into a storied building by one of Frank Gehry’s early mentors
-
Form... and flavour? The best design-led restaurant debuts of 2025A Wallpaper* edit of the restaurant interiors that shaped how we ate, gathered and lingered this year
-
New York’s members-only boom shows no sign of stopping – and it's about to get even more nicheFrom bathing clubs to listening bars, gatekeeping is back in a big way. Here’s what’s driving the wave of exclusivity
-
The Wallpaper* team’s travel highlights of the yearA year of travel distilled. Discover the destinations that inspired our editors on and off assignment
-
This cult Los Angeles pop-up restaurant now has a permanent addressChef Brian Baik’s Corridor 109 makes its permanent debut in Melrose Hill. No surprise, it's now one of the hardest tables in town to book
-
NYC’s first alcohol-free members’ club is full of spiritThe Maze NYC is a design-led social hub in Flatiron, redefining how the city gathers with an alcohol-free, community-driven ethos
-
Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026: City of the Year shortlistExplore the nominated urban locations making an impact in design, architecture and contemporary culture
