Fine tuning

DANIEL GARWOOD, ACRU

WORK • Tuesday Routine

DANIEL GARWOOD • chef/partner • ACRU
Neighborhood you work in: Greenwich Village
Neighborhood you live in: Upper East Side

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace? 
Upon arriving at my new restaurant ACRU on MacDougal Street, I’m enveloped by the final phase of its construction, with various teams bustling about. MacDougal Street is a unique place in the morning — calm and quiet, in contrast to its lively nights. My management team and I gather over coffee, strategizing for the weeks ahead and brainstorming ideas for the restaurant, which we’re planning to open on October 16. [Ed.: Reservations are live today.] Right now, we’re organizing table settings, curating the room’s decor, and crafting our initial menus. The first deliveries are arriving — wines from across the globe, fresh ingredients to experiment with, and furniture to fill this extraordinary space.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Today, I’m fine-tuning training plans and coordinating with electricians and construction teams to complete the kitchen. The fun part will come in the afternoon when our suppliers start bringing in samples and new ingredients. We should be receiving spicebush, staghorn sumac, the first chestnuts of the season, and black sage. As I continue to learn about these native ingredients, it’s exhilarating to receive and experiment with them while conducting research.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Greenwich Village offers an abundance of great restaurants and bars. I often drop by Dame or Lord’s, where the food and staff consistently impress. I highly recommend the fish and chips from Dame and the duck pie or Scotch egg from Lord’s (though I might be a bit biased, having grown up in the Commonwealth with similar cuisine). This week, I have some Australian friends visiting, so I’ll be sure to take them to Dante for drinks. Their extensive drink menu is fantastic, and you can’t go wrong with their martini service.

How about a little leisure or culture this week?
MacDougal Street feels like the comedy center of New York, and I always try to keep up with the performances. There’s always something happening on this block; just last week, there was live music featuring Outernational and Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. For leisure, my wife and I love walking along the Hudson River on the west side. The area has seen fantastic developments, including tennis courts, mini-golf, volleyball, and, most importantly, dog parks.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
In building the restaurant, it’s difficult to pinpoint any single big-ticket item, as each element is so important to it. One standout partner has been Stephen Lin from Resolute Millwork. I highly recommend him for any custom woodwork needs in your home. Our back bar is a great example, in particular, showcasing his craftsmanship and attention to detail.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
Given how often I lose track of time working in restaurants, I really appreciate services like Rinse. Their laundry pick-up and drop-off right at my apartment door is a lifesaver. Anything that helps save time during a hectic week is invaluable.