New York – Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Allison Williams, Nina Agdal, Chanel Iman, Chris Noth, Tyson Beckford, Matt Dillon, Swizz Beats, Andi Dorfman, Lauren Scala, DJ Vice, Busta Rhymes, Maxwell, Gregg Bello, Micky Rourke, Ben Watts, Tony Shafrazi, Andre Saraiva, Alexander Wang, Megan Williams, Sante D’arazio, Nur Kahn, Susanne Bartsch, Devon Windsor, David Barton, Rachel Hilbert and David Rockwells were among the New York elite who celebrated the VANDAL Grand Opening in New York City on Friday night.
VANDAL is the newest TAO Group property at 199 Bowery, a bi-level restaurant, bar and lounge showcasing the work of world-renowned street artists alongside small plates inspired by global street fare. Collaborating with the award-winning design firm, Rockwell Group, the partners’ third project together boasts 360 seats and aims to capture the spirit of creativity and will make a truly distinctive mark on a historic stretch of the Bowery.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, escorted by her husband Peter Sarsgaard, were some of the invited guests who showed up to the restaurant in style, looking beautiful and sophisticated in an ivory dress with a tie embellishment. Gyllenhaal, who has a longstanding relationship with both Chef Chris Santos and TAO Group, was one of the first guests of Santos’ Lower East Side Restaurant, Beauty & Essex at their opening five years ago. She expressed how happy she was for Chef Chris Santos on VANDAL.
When Gyllenhaal was asked what her favorite winter item which she responded with, “coats, but I recently bought a house so I am not allowed anymore!”
Model Chanel Iman, sparkling in Simon G. earrings and rings, was also in attendance looking radiant in a black bodycon dress with cutouts stating how excited she was for New York Fashion Week to arrive. In addition, Iman expressed, “I love food and cannot wait to see what VANDAL has in store.”
Chris Noth was excited to be celebrating the opening as well. When asked about his hit TV show, The Good Wife, he explained, “it has been the best 6 years of my life!”
To bring the allure and energy of street art to VANDAL, TAO Group commissioned the UK-based artist HUSH to curate the restaurant’s wallscape. Celebrated for his own work as a street artist, HUSH organized nine massive site-specific murals throughout the restaurant, each reflecting the range and dynamism of contemporary, global street art, while paying homage to the Bowery’s rich artistic history. In addition to HUSH, famed artists like Shepard Fairey, Apexer, Tristan Eaton, Eelus, Vhils and Will Barras all contributed to the project.
Guests enjoyed cocktails provided by Moet Hennessy as well as the signature street fare such as Crunchy Jicama Shell Tostadas, Lobster and Sweet Potato Soup Dumplings, and Greek Donuts while listening to the music played by QuestLove, Steve Lewis, Leo Fitzpatrick Paul Sevigny, André Saraiva, and Lucien Smith throughout the night. There was also a surprise DJ Set by DJ Vice.
