BONDST CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH STAR-STUDDED BASH AT HUDSON YARDS

View a photo gallery from the event

The who’s who of NYC’s social scene from the hospitality, restaurant, and entertainment sectors converged at BondST Hudson Yards on Tuesday, May 21, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved restaurant’s original NoHo location. The exclusive event, hosted by BondST founder and eminent restaurateur Jonathan Morr, brought together an array of notable personalities who indulged in the restaurant’s famous sushi and a variety of gourmet bites. The evening featured a traditional kagami biraki (a ceremonial opening of a sake barrel) and a spectacular tuna cutting show.

The party welcomed high-profile attendees including Graham Norton, Michaela Coel, Alec & Hilaria Baldwin, Cynthia Rowley, Masaharu Morimoto, Riccardo Tisci, Dorinda Medley, Adam Lippes, Brian Atwood, and many more. The attendees enjoyed a decadent selection of BondST’s signature dishes, such as Big Eye Tuna Tarts with fresh black summer truffles, Miso Chilean Sea Bass, and Spicy Crispy Shrimp, alongside an impressive sushi spread that included Spicy Tuna Rolls, Sesame Crusted Shrimp Rolls, and King Crab Avocado Rolls. The Temaki Bar offered a selection of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, scallops, and caviar.

As the sun set over Hudson Yards, guests enjoyed music by The Muses with the breathtaking views from the restaurant. Supermodel Carol Alt was seen mingling with actor George Hahn, while Michaela Coel arrived with Spencer Hewett and Riccardo Tisci before joining Graham Norton and his husband Jono McLeod in a booth to savor BondST’s signature sushi platters. Photographer Mark Seliger expressed his delight with the continuous rounds of passed bites, highlighting his love for the restaurant’s renowned cuisine.

The celebration saw representation from NYC’s restaurant and hospitality industry, with attendees including Chef Morimoto, David Rabin, John McDonald, Jason Pomeranc, Scott Sartiano, Scott Gerber, Nelly Moudime, Phil Meynell, Thatcher Shultz, Drew Nieporent, Cobi Levy, Ronnie Madra, Omar Hernandez, and Michael McCarty. Guests, including Untitled’s Indira Cesarine, enjoyed cocktails such as Lychee Martinis, Shishito Jalapeño Margaritas, and the BondST Sweet Saketini, which was served from a custom ice sculpture and carved ice punch bowl created by Okamoto Studios. The BondST Sweet Saketini, an homage to the original BondST NoHo launch party hosted by Donatella Versace 25 years ago, was a particular highlight.

The evening’s festivities included a symbolic kagami biraki ceremony, marking the anniversary and ushering in good fortune for the next 25 years of BondST. Jonathan Morr, with assistance from Hilaria Baldwin, performed the ceremonial opening and breaking of the sake barrel, to the delight of Alec Baldwin and other guests. Dorinda Medley had a front-row seat to the show-stopping tuna cutting demonstration, where a whole 250-pound tuna was expertly prepared. Guests were treated to fresh toro and caviar hand rolls made from the finest parts of the tuna, including o-toro, chu-toro, and akami.

As dessert was served, Ryan Cooper was seen enjoying homemade mochi, while Adam Lippes savored the Yamazaki Whiskey Bread Pudding. The evening was a perfect blend of culinary excellence, entertainment, and social camaraderie, cementing BondST’s reputation as a staple in NYC’s dining scene. The event showcased BondST’s legacy of blending traditional Japanese culinary artistry with modern innovation, leaving guests with memories of a night filled with exceptional food, vibrant company, and celebratory toasts to 25 more years of success.

BondST has been a fixture in the culinary world since the late 90s, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their NoHo location in 2024. Renowned for its modern interpretations of Japanese-inspired cuisine, BondST delivers an exquisite dining experience that fuses tradition with innovation. With its chic ambiance, artistic presentations, and diverse menu of delightful dishes, the restaurant has garnered a loyal following and widespread critical acclaim.