Chef Daniel Boulud Lifts His Cuisine To New Heights Atop The New York Skyline

Forbes

3 hours ago

Chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud
Daniel Boulud has seen his restaurant empire soar in the 21st Century. The charismatic Michelin-starred chef already oversees some of New York's most prominent kitchens, including Le Pavillon and a handful of enduringly popular bistros that bear his name. Now the restaurateur is taking his talents even higher--literally.
On July 1st, Boulud will launch Summit Events, a shiny new venue located on the 72nd floor of the 1,401-foot One Vanderbilt skyscraper. The hybrid indoor/outdoor space will be available exclusively for individual buyouts; weddings, brand activations, etc. With menus developed and curated by Boulud himself, and unobstructed skyline views, it promises to be the ultimate private dining room in all of midtown Manhattan.
Interior design here is meant to evoke the mirrored rooms of the Insta-famous observation deck some 20 floors above. The food, meanwhile, will reflect some of the classics from the Boulud restaurant portfolio. Depending on the budget and the occasion, chef promises to bring staple items ranging from Oysters Vanderbilt, sashimi creations and caviar-topped canapés on the high-end to the soups and sandwiches that make Epicerie Boulud such a favorite amongst everyday lunch crowds. He'll back it all up with one of the city's most iconic wine cellars, found at his Michelin-starred eatery anchoring the ground floor of the same building.
You can inquire about bookings here.
To find out more about how this culinary expansion got off the ground, we recently sat down with Boulud, his team, and Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green, the developer of One Vanderbilt. This is what they had to say…
The Insta-famous mirrored observation deck atop One Vanderbilt in midtown Manhattan
Daniel Boulud: 'Summit Events is truly unlike any other venue. As an extension of the iconic immersive observatory, Summit One Vanderbilt, it offers guests exclusive access to and from the attraction as part of their special occasion—making every event unforgettable from the moment it begins. Surrounded by mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the Chrysler Building, the atmosphere is both dramatic and awe-inspiring. As guests move throughout the space, they'll experience New York City's skyline come alive—reflected in the venue's striking mirrored design—and can step out onto a private terrace to take in the view from the open air."
Marc Holliday: 'Summit is the crown jewel of One Vanderbilt, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe to experience New York City from an unprecedented vantage point. Since even before it opened in 2021, there has been demand for private events but we have never closed the immersive experience to the public. With the debut of the new event space, we now have a spectacular venue dedicated for private occasions, featuring the breathtaking NYC skyline beautifully reflected and amplified to create a unique and sensorial experience.'
DB: 'It's perfect for a myriad of events and occasions, including cocktail receptions, sit-down dinner galas, business conferences, weddings, brand activations, photoshoots, fashion shows and more."
Simon Edwards, EVP of Cuisine Boulud New York: 'Cuisine Boulud launched in 2024 and already has done a number of exciting events, including Air France's launch of its new La Première first class suites. We've also done events for FIFA, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Carnegie Hall, Tiffany & Co and do daily office catering for companies like Franklin Templeton, Bridgewater Associates, FOX and more. Cuisine Boulud will also be focusing on luxury off premise events, cultural institutions and corporate client engagement.'
DB: 'I've always taken immense pride in crafting events that become cherished memories in people's lives. Now, we're elevating that experience—combining world-class hospitality with the awe of the city's most stunning observatory. It's more than just an event; it's a feeling. One where guests truly feel on top of the world.'
Chef Daniel Boulud (left) poses with Simon Edwards atop Summit One Vanderbilt