The minds behind the Williamsburg Chinese eatery Antidote introduced their latest culinary venture, Nemesis. Situated at 30 E 20th Street in Flatiron NYC, Nemesis aims to push the envelope in Southeast Asian cuisine, opening its doors on September 22, 2023.
At the helm of Nemesis’s culinary explorations is Executive Chef Francis Tanrantana, a Thai descent chef with a laudable culinary journey through leading kitchens such as Nowon, Rice & Gold, Morimoto, and Momosan. Chef Tanrantana unfurls a small-plate, tapas-focused menu teeming with Southeast Asian culinary traditions and techniques with strong influences in Thai cuisine. Dishes include:
- Tiger Prawn Lumpia: A take on a Filipino classic, this dish features pork-stuffed tiger shrimp, wrapped in a delicate spring roll wrapper. Served over a bed of house-spiced banana ketchup, it combines sea and earth flavors.
- Sambal Skate: Skate fish is marinated and roasted to perfection, slathered in a house-made Sambal glaze. This dish is garnished with crispy “fin-bones,” offering a unique crunch.
- Wagyu Picahna Steak: This 14-ounce American-bred “Washugyu” Wagyu steak is grilled to medium-rare and is paired with cauliflower puree and a robust black peppercorn sauce.
- Khao Soi Gai: Inspired by Northern Thai cuisine, this aromatic noodle soup dish presents a crispy chicken thigh, fresh Thai herbs, and a house-made curry soup.
On the libations front, Beverage Director Nick Hwang created a cocktail program deeply influenced by the Speakeasy era using Asian ingredients including house-made syrups, tinctures, and infusions. Concoctions include:
- BKTea BangKokTea: a twist on the Long Island Iced Tea.
- Antidote: featuring Harridan Hand-crafted Vodka and Basil Oil.
- Black Mirror: a heady blend of Kavalan Whiskey and Mr. Black Coffee liqueur.
Alexander Lee, the Culinary Director at Nemesis, oversees the wine program. A French Culinary Institute graduate with over 14 years in the restaurant business, Lee has managed NYC’s top Asian restaurants such as Morimoto, RedFarm, and DaDong. Specializing in food and wine pairings, Lee has curated a diverse wine menu that includes both by-bottle and by-glass selections.
As guests step inside Nemesis, they’re welcomed into a 3,000-square-foot sanctuary featuring living plant walls, celestial natural skylight, and raw exposed brickwork. Nemesis has seating for up to 88 patrons, including a cozy 10-seat cocktail bar.
Nemesis is spearheaded by partners Rudi Jan, Renk Dong, Jane Rotari, Nick Hwang, and Alexander Lee, the same talents behind the Williamsburg eatery Antidote. The moniker ‘Nemesis’ isn’t a boast but a statement of intent: the brand represents a pursuit of culinary excellence. The team has exciting plans for the brand’s future, which includes the unveiling of additional Asian concepts.
Nemesis is open for dinner Dinner Tues – Sun: 5PM – 10PM | Brunch: Sat & Sun: 12PM – 3PM (future) | Lunch: Tues- Sun: 12PM – 3:30PM (future).
