It’s been nearly a decade since Chef Scott Conant landed on the New York scene with critical darling Scarpetta. It was here that the Food Network star earned acclaim in the city with instant crowdpleasers like the Scarpetta stromboli and the stunningly simple spaghetti pomodoro. Since severing ties with the restaurant several years ago, however, he hasn’t had much of a presence in New York City. That’s why last night, the SAVEUR team was thrilled to collaborate with Chef Scott for the opening of his first NYC concept in many years: the Italian-accented Fusco.
The more intimate, white-clothed restaurant is named after the chef’s grandmother, Carminella Fusco Varrone. Done up with mirrors and chandeliers, the dining room brings a little bit of elegance to the downtown Gramercy location. Standing in front of a crowd of journalists, influencers, and other food-world fans, Conant explained that, with the opening of Fusco, he would be able to bring back “the level of hospitality that we would find from our grandparents—that old-world hospitality.” As guests mingled and munched on some of Conant’s greatest hits—including the spaghetti pomodoro, of course—while clinking glasses of bubbles from Mionetto Prosecco through the night, we’d say he’s off to a great start.
Guests sipped on wines from Mionetto Prosecco all night long at the Fusco opening party. Matt Taylor-Gross Chef Scott Conant’s spaghetti pomodoro looks excellent beside some Boulevardiers. Matt Taylor-Gross Chef Tom Colicchio, Chef Marco Canora, Chef Jonathan Waxman, Editor-in-Chief Adam Sachs, and Chef Scott Conant pose for a photo at the opening of Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross Chef Scott Conant, Chef Marc Murphy, Mitchell Davis, and Chef Marcus Samuelsson make for an impressive looking crew at Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross Dan Q. Dao of SAVEUR, influencer Christine Yi and her mom, influencer Jeremy Jacobowitz, and publicist Evyn Block take a break from eating. Matt Taylor-Gross Chef Scott Conant’s short rib was a highlight of the feast. Matt Taylor-Gross Olga Grigorenko, photographer William Hereford and publicist Evyn Block are all smiles. Matt Taylor-Gross Chris Cohen of SAVEUR, writer Mark Byrne, and Andrew Richdale of SAVEUR pose in front of the bar at Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross Writer Brett Moskowitz and SAVEUR publicists Stefanie McNamara and Perri Dorset lean in for a group shot at Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross Ana Dane of In Pursuit of Tea and Andy Rapoport come together for a photo at Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross Guests enjoyed passed bites including gnocchetti with tomato sauce at Fusco’s opening party. Matt Taylor-Gross Cheers! Matt Taylor-Gross Publicist Hanna Lee and writer Michael Anstendig are a stunning couple at the Fusco opening party. Matt Taylor-Gross Novelist Chris Pavone, writer Jeff Gordinier and influencer Christine Yi strike a pose at the Fusco opening party. Matt Taylor-Gross Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Pavia Rosati of Fathom pose for a photo at Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross Mionetto Prosecco kept the glasses full and the party going at the opening of Scott Conant’s Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross Truffle arancini balls were a crowd favorite on opening night at Scott Conant’s Fusco. Matt Taylor-Gross
