Big family

SAM LEVENFELD • K’Far Brooklyn

WORK • Tuesday Routine

SAM LEVENFELD • chef de cuisine • K’Far Brooklyn
Neighborhood you work in: Williamsburg
Neighborhood you live in: Greenpoint

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Tuesdays are the start of my week. (As a chef, Sundays and Mondays are my days off.) Today, I’m starting with a cup of coffee and catching up on emails, getting organized for the week. I get over to The Hoxton — where K’Far is located — by 10a and check in with our opening chef who’s been there since 6. We talk through what’s been done so far and what still needs to be handled. From there, I check in with pretty much everyone in the building.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Making family meal for the hotel — I’ll be cooking Moroccan chicken tagine and yellow rice for over 100 people. Beyond that, cooking some new specials for K’Far that we’re going to taste with the sous chefs.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I went to OMG Shawarma in the West Village the other day and already want to go back. I got the veal shawarma, it was super tender and really unique. I think it’s always good to taste different takes on dishes within your own cuisine. I pull a lot of inspiration from other Middle Eastern cuisines and I’m always impressed by the breadth and creativity of food in this region.

I’ll also make my way to Wenwen in Greenpoint this week — they’re one of my go-to’s in the neighborhood, and I’ve gotten to know their chef, Eric, pretty well. He’s a great guy and makes really excellent food. My most-ordered item is the chicken sandwich that you can only get at brunch. It’s out of control how good it is. It’s this perfectly crispy chicken thigh topped with pickled cabbage and spicy mayo. The seaweed-dusted fries that come with it are unbelievable too. Back here in Williamsburg, I’m loving the revamped Kellogg’s Diner. Their chicken pot pie is delectable.

How about a little leisure or culture?
I was in Chicago last fall for a Bears game. I worked at Momotaro and Cira in the West Loop for a few years before moving out to Brooklyn to help open Laser Wolf. Walking the neighborhood always makes me a little nostalgic. I always like paying visits to some of (our restaurant group) Boka’s properties when I’m in town. I went to Alla Vita for dinner one night. I had been craving a good chicken parmesan, and theirs is truly spectacular. I can’t be in Chicago without stopping by the Izakaya at Momotaro for sake. I love sake, especially Rihaku’s Dreamy Clouds.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
For my birthday, I treated myself to a new chef’s knife from Japanese Knife Imports. It’s my fifth or sixth time buying from them, the quality is amazing, and their customer service is great.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
I’ve gone to a lot of friends’ weddings recently, and Suitsupply in Williamsburg has been consistently great. Their team in store is super helpful. Definitely recommend checking them out if you’re looking for advice on suit styles or need alterations.