Just off Washington Square Park, the swanky Trattoria One Fifth is serving its last meal on Saturday, February 22. The Italian eatery, launched by celeb chef Marc Forgione in August 2022, announced the closure on Instagram, stirring up a cold pot of surprise amongst its clientele. The decision drops in without a specific reason laid out, as the post from yesterday only revealed the team’s intent to focus on upcoming projects. As reported by Eater, Forgione’s move to shut down comes less than a year after opening inside the famed One Fifth Avenue.
Despite this closure, Forgione isn't trimming his presence in New York City’s culinary scene. The James Beard Award-winning chef recently unwrapped a new chapter by moving Restaurant Marc Forgione, now known simply as Forgione, to not just a different— but a historic New York City location at 30 Hudson Street. In a building once graced by acclaimed chef David Bouley’s Danube, Forgione is set to keep his acclaimed New American cuisine on display with the usual emphasis on seasonal and local fare. The move was an acknowledgement of the area's beauty and the space’s culinary legacy, Forgione mentioned in an interview with Restaurant Hospitality.
Despite the bad news for fans of Trattoria One Fifth, Forgione remains dedicated to his roots, curating a menu that hinges on the caliber of its components. "Our creativity has always been inspired by the ingredients first and foremost," he stated, with flagship items like the hiramasa dish embodying this philosophy since day one, as detailed by Restaurant Hospitality. Forgione’s reboot introduces an element of his past, sprinkling the new space with personal touches and a dash of local art, including works from students at PS 234, and a standout piece by Peter Tunney titled "Fearless."
In an atmosphere where restaurant closures have become all too common, the tale of Trattoria One Fifth's end is yet another reminder of the industry's relentless flux. Forgione, who continues operating other eateries like Peasant and the original Restaurant Marc Forgione, promises that the spirit of his culinary artistry will survive in this newer, mature space at 30 Hudson. The redesign is more than a fresh coat of paint; it’s an evolution, capturing a different phase of the chef's journey. He describes the new location has "the same soul, look, and feel as Reade Street," but it's like "the 40-year-old me," in terms of maturity and experience, as Restaurant Hospitality noted.
