Going Market To Table In New York City With Society Cafe

Market to table is alive and well, even in the concrete jungle of New York City. One restaurant in particular, Society Cafe, is one of the standout eateries taking the good food movement to heart, supporting local farms and sourcing produce a short walk away from its kitchen.

Society Cafe is a hidden gem located in the Walker Hotel in Greenwich Village. After walking through the hotel lobby and down an arched hallway, you'll find yourself in an elevated but cozy 75-seat dining room, decorated with teal banquettes and a gold-painted ceiling. In the center of it all is a skylight above a line of two-seat tables.

Along with the welcoming décor comes an equally endearing menu crafted by Society Cafe's executive chef, Christopher Zabita, who hails from award-winning restaurants Victoria and Albert's and Bar Boulud. Zabita personally makes the trip to Union Square Greenmarket multiple times a week, connecting with purveyors and sourcing the best of the best ingredients for every dish.

To get an inside look at Society Cafe's market to table process, The Daily Meal joined Zabita on a trip to the farmers market. While at the market, Zabita picked up fresh Cherry Lane Farms strawberries, apple mint, and Oak Grove Plantation blue popcorn, along with other produce to create his seasonal, sustainable, and locally sourced meals.

You can visit Society Cafe at 52 West 13th St. for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant also hosts happy hour specials from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.