Sean Jorgensen & Anna Bautista Take Over Highline Kitchen

2016-11-07 ThatsShanghai

By Betty Richardson

Both Sean Jorgensen (Liquid Laundry) and Anna Bautista (Coquille, Scarpetta) are formidable chefs in their own right – and we mean that literally – but since combining forces last year to form a chef consultancy business, the two have been responsible for the runaway success of the food at Al's Diner and Chez Maurice, to name a few.

The duo are known for putting American comfort food and fresh, contemporary flavors at the fore, and are now extending their prowess to Highline, a California-inspired all-day gastrolounge that had yet to announce who'd be the chef...

Now we know why: they were holding out for in-demand Bautista and Jorgensen. Makes sense.

All images via dianping.com

The good news in our opinion is that the two, who like the owners hail from fair Cali, won't just be doing a consultancy stint to iron out the kinks, they'll be there full-time.

But just what is Highline? Owned by restaurateurs Cody Allen (owner of Le Baron) and John Liu, with whom Bautista worked at Coquille and Scarpetta, Highline is anticipated to be one of the hottest new openings of the year, serving a Cali-inspired brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktail program.

We staked out the place last week during soft opening, and found a veritable mid-century modern palace, complete with custom-made furniture, two bars, a full-scale rooftop terrace with firepit, palm trees and insane city views, and cocktails designed by Raphael Holzer (former manager of Hong Kong's Yardbird and Ronin). In other words, the whole shebang.

In fact, the only thing that was less than perfect was the food. Guess now we can look forward to that getting the Sean and Anna treatment, starting from December 1.

Stay tuned for our review next month.