Arlo Hotels announces the promotion of Chef Michael King to the role of area executive chef. While continuing to drive the creative vision of Sungold Restaurant at Arlo Williamsburg, he will now also lead NoMad Diner at Arlo NoMad in Manhattan. King’s menus offer a fresh approach that blends nostalgia, comfort, and innovation.
“Michael has been an integral part of our culinary journey,” says Jimmy Suh, president of Arlo Hotels. “From the inception of Sungold, he has exhibited creativity and leadership. We are excited to see his vision expand to Nomad Diner, where he will continue our commitment to offering experiential yet approachable dining experiences.” Leaning into the resurgence of diner-inspired cuisine (as featured on the cover of March’s Food and Wine Magazine), King is playfully re-interpreting classics with a bold, modern spin.
King’s playful take on traditional diner fare is on full display at breakfast, with the addition of an Eggs Benedict ($20) that skips the English muffin in favor of crispy celery root latkes. The latkes are a staple at Sungold (“Best Latke in Town” according to New York Magazine); creating a through-line across the Arlo brand. Another must-have for either breakfast or brunch that plays into New York’s Jewish culture is the Babka French Toast ($17), topped with a chocolate crumble and maple whipped cream.
Nomad Diner’s all day menu gives new life to familiar staples, many of which are made to share. Onion Rings ($12), are cut thick, marinated in buttermilk, piled high and served with ranch and a house hot sauce ketchup. Deviled Eggs ($14) are studded with smoked trout roe and given a Greek touch with bright lemon and crispy shredded phyllo dough. The Diner Quesadilla ($16) pays homage to our most indulgent vibes and is stuffed with creamy Monterrey jack and topped with hot pickled chiles, sour cream and fresh pico di gallo.
Alongside classics like a great pastrami reuben, a tuna melt and a baked mac and cheese are sandwiches and main courses that tell a story. Paying homage to his days as a hungry line cook on the West Coast, The Seattle Smash ($22) tops a flat beef patty with house made American cheese, crispy onion rings and ‘deluxe sauce.’ Of the main courses, Zelma’s Meatloaf ($28) is the star. The recipe comes from King’s wife and upgrades the classic with the incorporation of rye bread and is served with mustardy green beans and smashed red bliss potatoes.
For a sweet finish, King has kept things familiar. Alongside the Carrot Cake ($12), which is layered with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut, and has been on the menu since NoMad Diner opened last year, the chef has added some (new) old favorites. The Brulee Banana Split ($12) elevates the classic trio of ice creams, whipped cream and chocolate sauce with torched bananas and salty peanuts. Any New Yorker knows that pies are the cornerstone of any diner’s desert menu. The NoMad Diner carries forward this tradition. The Lemon Meringue Pie ($12) is an upgrade to the standard with a perfectly sweet and tart filling finished with toasted peaks of meringue. Additionally, the Blue Plate Pie ($12), is an ever changing selection, giving King and his team space to offer the best of what’s in season.
“Revamping Nomad Diner has been an exciting challenge,” says King. “At Sungold, I created a lot of parameters for myself in terms of regionality, sourcing and sustainability. At the diner, we’re just trying to have a lot of fun, while still sticking to the same ethos around food. A great example is our House Mozz Sticks ($15). We make them with the same mozzarella we use on our pizzas at Sungold, from a small dairy farm in Vermont. At Sungold, it’s something we celebrate, at NoMad Diner, it’s undercover. So, guests are ordering something they’ve had a thousand times before, but when they have ours, they’re blown away by the flavor. There’s a lot of dishes like that on the menu now and I’m really excited to keep pushing forward.”
The restaurant, located inside Arlo Nomad (11 E. 31st St., New York, NY), is open daily from 7am until 11pm. During the week, breakfast is served until 11AM, followed by an all-day menu from noon until 11pm. On the weekends, brunch is served until 3pm, and the all-day menu begins at 4pm. Arlo’s Lucky Hour is available daily at the bar from 4-7pm and features specially priced drinks and bites, as well as signature fortune cookies that can land a lucky few a complimentary stay at Arlo NoMad. For more information and updates on the opening, follow @nomaddinernyc and @arlohotels on Instagram or visit nomaddinernyc.com to sign up for the latest updates.
About NoMad Diner
NoMad Diner, nestled in the heart of Midtown Manhattan at Arlo NoMad, draws from New York City’s eclectic neighborhoods and rich culinary history to provide elevated diner classics that are equal parts comfort food and innovation. Helmed by Area Executive Chef Michael King, NoMad Diner boasts a menu of crave-able classics – this is where avocado toast joins pancakes and omelets on the breakfast menu, and traditional diner dishes are reimagined. Founded on the mission to provide a culinary haven for the urban traveler, NoMad Diner takes inspiration from the neighborhood’s bustling fashion district and modern eclecticism. Curated cocktails, artisanal spirits and natural wines round out the dining experience, making NoMad Diner an exciting destination and future favorite of the neighborhood. For more information, updates on the opening and more, follow @nomaddinernyc on Instagram or visit nomaddinernyc.com.
About Arlo Hotels
Arlo Hotels is an independent, experience-driven hotel brand, a home base for explorers and a launch pad for all things local. Easy style and friendly faces welcome guests into a community-driven environment, and intuitively designed guest rooms provide peaceful places to rest and recharge. Each location is a living room away from home, a desk while working on the road, and invites guests to travel their way, every day – with a few surprises along the way. The Arlo portfolio includes Arlo SoHo, Arlo NoMad, Arlo Midtown and Arlo Williamsburg in New York; Arlo Wynwood in Miami; Arlo Chicago and Arlo Washington DC. For news, updates and a little wanderlust inspiration, follow @arlohotels on Instagram or visit arlohotels.com.
