Michael Chernow began his professional restaurant career in 1996 behind the bar of the popular nightclub, Life, on Bleecker Street in New York City. Learning from the ground up, Michael quickly worked his way through the ranks becoming the youngest bartender on staff. After 2 years working at both Life in New York and its East Hampton sister club, The Tavern, Michael signed on to open Woo Lae Oak on Mercer Street in New York City. In 2001 Michael made the move to Los Angeles where he worked at Woo Lae Oak’s original location on La Cienega Blvd. Returning to New York, he opened Punch and Judy, a wine bar on Clinton Street. In 2002 Frank Prizanzano offered Michael a position behind the bar of his eponymous flagship restaurant Frank on Second Avenue.

For 7 years Michael managed the bar at Frank where he had a large, loyal following. In 2007 Michael enrolled in the French Culinary Institute (FCI), graduated with honors, and was awarded an Associate’s degree in both culinary arts and restaurant management in 2008. Michael opened The Meatball Shop with Daniel Holzman in February of 2010 and the restaurant has been a hit since opening its doors. Michael is in charge of running the front-of-house while also overseeing the build out of two new Meatball Shop restaurants, one in Williamsburg slated to open this spring and one in the West Village slated to open this summer. 

— Camilla Ferenczi

Favorite Neighborhood: Lower East Side

Best cheap eats:La Superior (willy beeee)

Favorite bar: Epsteins

Favorite coffee shop: Abrasso (east 7th street)

Best record shop: Phat beats

Favorite place to buy threads: Jcrew liquor store

Favorite tourist attraction: The Meatball Shop

Favorite bike shop: Chari & co.

Best place with outside seating to get a drink: La esquina

Best museum or gallery: Moma

Favorite place to ride your bike in the city or skate spot: Lower East

Favorite food spot: Tomoe sushi

Favorite hidden gem in NYC: itzocan café

Favorite skate shop: Shut

Favorite locally produced food or beverage: fresh mozz from Di Palo (grand street)

Favorite living NY legend: Crazy Dave

Favorite annual event in the City: Harold Hunter Day

Guilty pleasure in NYC: Burger at spotted pig

Best live music venue: Irving Plaza

Favorite park: Central

Best pizza: Motorino

Best barber shop: Freemans

Best tattoo shop: Invisible (Regino is the man)

Best shoe shop: Too many

You’d only find this in New York City: Mole people

Yankees or Mets? Yankees……….does a bear shit in the woods?