Chef Dmitry Rodov is the executive chef of Duet Restaurant and Bar in New York. We had the privilege to interview him about Duet’s food, concept, and business philosophy.
Executive Chef Dmitry Rodov of Duet Restaurant and Bar
FriendsEAT: Tell us a little something about yourself and your restaurant.
Chef Dmitry: I lead Duet restaurant. I am a globally trained chef. I inherited my love for the culinary arts from my father in Ukraine. Each aspect of the restaurant showcases my artistic global fare, ranging from the Rack of Venison to Chicken Kiev, to the Army Beef Linguine, as well as freshly made breads, pastries and desserts.
The restaurant’s beautifully designed 3500-square foot space offers contemporary American cuisine with international influence, where guests can experience their choice of a neighborhood cafe or casual fine dining. With the floor-to-cieling windows overlooking the Village, the downstairs portion is perfect when you are looking for a vibrant night downtown. The windows are also open in the summer, offering an al-fresco dining atmosphere. For a more romantic atmosphere, diners may also head upstairs to the beautiful Barrow Room for more refined dinners or private parties.
FE: What makes you stand out above the rest?
Chef Dmitry: Duet provides guests with a cozy environment in the heart of the West Village. It is inviting year-round with the wall-to-ceiling windows that are open in the summer and closed for the winter.
The menu really makes the restaurant stand out from the competition, where I create dishes with global influences ranging from French, Italian and Russian, to Asian and Mediterranean. Every dish is inspired by my upbringing, and artfully created to make lasting impressions with guests.
Coming from a long line of cooks, I have sustained my family’s name by living how they believed to be the only way ” cooking for others. I am now known for my creative presentations and decadent takes on classic dishes.
Smoking Kobe Beef Tartare
FE: What is your most popular dish? Why do people love it?
Chef Dmitry: Our guests love our “smoke” dishes such as the Smoking Beef Carpaccio, Smoking Kobe Beef Tartare, and a side of smoked crème anglaise with organic strawberries. The smoke is a subtle element that is added to the flavors of the dish, and a fantastic way to add an artful touch that also helps us engage with guests.
Guests usually take photos and videos of the process of lifting the dome to release the smoke from the dish, and then they post it on social media and tag us. It’s a very unique concept in restaurants, and it’s rare to find one that offers this. We sell about 50 smoke dishes a week.
FE: And what is the one cocktail your bartender loves to make?
Chef Dmitry: Our house-infused vodkas. They are a signature of the restaurant and we prepare them with the freshest ingredients available. The flavors for this summer include Melon, Pineapple, Honey Pepper, Lychee, Pear Ginger, Beet Horseradish, Watermelon, and 7-Pepper Cactus. It takes us about three weeks to make them.
FE: Do you offer any deals such as happy hour specials, brunches, etc?
Chef Dmitry: Yes. Happy Hour is from Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m., and diners can enjoy specials of $4 for beer and $6 for a glass of wine from the Bar Menu.
Brunch is offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11-4 p.m., And the menu is available online: http://duetny.com/restaurant-menus/brunch-menus-nyc/
Duet is also attracting diners with its unique seafood offerings that go beyond traditional fare. Its new Monday Oyster Night serves up a feast of locally sourced oysters from Blue Point, Long Island, for just 50¢ each all night, featuring different sauces to pair with the oysters. It’s the perfect remedy for curing the Monday blues.
Duet also recently introduced a signature Lobster Night every Tuesday evening ” a perfect alternative for those of us who can’t afford a Hamptons trip during the week to enjoy this treasure from the sea. The lobster menu features six sumptuous dishes, available on Lobster Night only, and the featured plates include a 1.25 lb Lobster dish ($26.95), Lobster Risotto ($24.95), Lobster Burger ($16.95), Lobster Salad ($14.95), Lobster Bisque ($13.25) and Lobster Ravioli ($12.75).
Duet Restaurant and Bar is located at 37 Barrow St, New York, NY 10014
[mappress mapid=”223″]Nearby Landmarks: Greenwich House Music School, Parsley Sage, Pia’s Place, and Suprema Provisions
Phone Number: (212) 255-5416
Hours of Operation:
- Daily 11:00AM – 04:00PM
- Mon – Thur 05:00PM – 12:00AM
- Fri & Sat 05:00PM – 01:00AM
- Sun 05:00PM – 10:00PM
Dining Style: Chic casual
Cuisine Type: Contemporary American
Dress Code: Chic casual
Price Range: $12-$30
Payment Options: Cash/credit