[title]
Cote isn’t exactly known for doing things small. But its newest New York opening might be the most over-the-top version yet.
The Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse, which first landed in Flatiron in 2017, has officially expanded uptown with a sprawling new outpost inside 550 Madison—and it’s not just a restaurant. It’s a full-blown, multi-level dining complex.
Opened April 18 by Simon Kim and his Gracious Hospitality team, the new space mixes three concepts under one roof: a second Manhattan location of Cote, a glitzy new bar called Bar Chimera and an upcoming omakase counter from sushi legend Masahiro Yoshitake that will debut later this year.
Upstairs, Bar Chimera is your entry point—and it makes an entrance. The room is built around a towering pine tree (a nod to Korean symbolism), surrounded by plush booths and three distinct bars dedicated to wine, whisky and Martinis. It’s a mix of brasserie and cocktail playground, with snacks like oysters and a foie gras-filled take on Korea’s nostalgic “Home Run” treat.
Downstairs, at Cote 550, the subterranean dining room embraces the brand’s signature mix of Korean barbecue and chophouse energy, with smokeless grills at every table and a jungle of greenery overhead. The menu sticks to what works—the $118-per-person Butcher’s Feast, a parade of dry-aged beef cuts with banchan and stews—alongside a few location-specific additions like tableside japchae.
And then there’s the wine. If the original Cote made a point of taking its cellar seriously, this one goes even further. The list spans more than 1,400 bottles, with deep verticals across Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux. Near the entrance, a display of vintage Madeira (some dating back to 1835) immediately sets the tone. At Bar Chimera, rare pours are even available by the glass, thanks to Coravin.
The whole thing feels made for Midtown: it’s bigger, flashier and built for lingering over Martinis or steak (or both). Reservations are already live and if the Flatiron original is any indication, you’ll want to plan ahead.