Meet Chef John DeLucie: From Ambra to The Paris Cafe, New Yorkers are Clamouring for DeLucie
For the past two decades, Chef John DeLucie continues to be one of New York City’s most popular chefs, a true New Yorker at heart, Brooklyn born and raised, with strong Italian roots.. As Executive Chef of Ambra which opened its doors in September 2023, to the revamping in his new role as Executive Chef of The Paris Cafe, an iconic New York brasserie reimagined, to his latest expanded role as Head Corporate Chef for Hudson Street Hospitality, which includes not only Ambra and Paris Cafe, but the soon to open Hudson Club and West Village staple, White Horse Tavern.
Offering artisanal high-end Italian food, Ambra was quickly established as a must-go neighborhood spot and destination for the fashion set.
"I am always thrilled to reconnect with my heritage through my cooking, especially when I can partner with serious restaurateurs. Being in the West Village is home for me, as I lived in the West Village for twenty years, so Ambra was a true homecoming, and layered with White Horse Tavern, making the Greenwich Village presence for me truly special, " - Notes Chef John Delucie.
Further adds Chef DeLucie, "The menu at Ambra is an opportunity for me to cook my absolute favorite foods, aiming to excite our patrons, offering homemade pastas, and share them with our community in New York, which as a chef, is a privilege."
Most recently Ambra launched brunch, DeLucie says "I really love our tiramisu pancakes, because who doesn’t love dessert for breakfast!" This encapsulates the essence of infusing the joy of indulgence with the comforting familiarity of morning rituals, all inspired by Italian culinary traditions. “These tiramisu pancakes are a delightful fusion, blending the rich flavors of traditional tiramisu with the beloved breakfast staple of pancakes, offering guests a playful yet decadent start to their day.”
Launching brunch at Ambra was driven by a desire to transport guests to the vibrant streets of Italy, where leisurely mornings are celebrated with delectable fare and convivial company. Drawing inspiration from the diverse regions of Italy, each dish on the brunch menu is crafted to showcase the bold flavors and rustic charm of Italian cuisine.
Celebrities and notables such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, Quinta Brunson, Chris Meloni, Cynthia Nixon, Casey Affleck, Janet Jackson, Sarah Hyland, Aaron Paul, Ryan Tedder, Laverne Cox, Nico Tortarella, Christian Siriano, Liev Schreiber, DJ Cassidy, Gary Vaynerchuk, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Reach, Mario Cantone, Mario Lopez, Foodgod, and more, continue to flock to the welcoming West Village Italian eatery that is Ambra, with DeLucie's cooking at the helm.
But it’s not the celebrity clientele that demands the most attention. In the end, it all comes down to John’s simple cooking—a passion that was instilled in him as a little boy.
Hudson Street Hospitality head chef John DeLucie, the current Executive Chef over at their West Village eatery Ambra, has also redesigned and reimagined the menu, implementing delicious cuisine for weekend brunch, Sunday Supper, dinner and late night bites. They have updated the outdoor seating with a patio that soaks in sun by day and offers drinks under the stars by night.
The Paris Cafe, a landmark at present day, is known as a favorite of Teddy Roosevelt, Jimmy Hoffa, Billy The Kid, Bob Dylan, Thomas Edison, Lauren Bacall, and Butch Cassidy.
John originally rose to industry fame as the man behind restaurants like The Lion, Waverly Inn, and Empire Diner. The famed chef is better than ever and back in the kitchen at Ambra and Paris Cafe, but now also in the comfort of home.
His memoir, The Hunger: A Memoir of an Accidental Chef (HarperCollins, 2009) discussed his path to becoming a chef and restaurateur. When he graduated from Gallatin, his plan was, he says, to replace Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin. Although he tried his hand at a few 9-to-5 jobs, he eventually gave in to his natural culinary curiosity, first taking courses at New York’s New School for Culinary Arts, and then getting his first food job, chopping 40-pound bags of onions in the back room of Dean & DeLuca. He was working as an executive recruiter when he decided to take a 12-week cooking class at the New School, which led to his life of cooking. In 2009 and 2010, he was the first Celebrity Chef honored at the MTV Movie Awards.
Today, DeLucie’s style remains as distinctively simple as it is universally praised. Follow him @chefJohnDeLucie and @ambranyc