Tiny Restaurant Garners Huge Awards

New Stanley’s 666 Club Furfante gets 3 Stars in Pirelli Guide
Chef Malinowski Receives James Bread Award

Barbara Gee Chef, Stan "Shooter" Malinowski displaying the James Bread Award, and flanked (left) by hostess, Abrianna Patrizia Rufina Isabella Lancellotti, and investor/consultant, Francesca Octavia Oriana Lazzarini.

As he tells it, nearly 2 years ago Malinowski approached his friend Ms Lazzarini about working in the kitchen of her west Randolph Street restaurant, Albachiara Risata. Though she was unable to indulge his request she attended a small dinner party at his home. There, she said, Malinowski put on an incredible culinary display of shellfish and pasta dishes, and the best risotto that she’s ever had.

Soon they agreed to open a restaurant on Chicago’s west side in a veritable food desert. They took over a former convenience store that had a perfunctory kitchen. However the front of the building would have required a substantial investment—more than Lazzarini was prepared for. Rather than abandon the idea, Malinowski suggested they leave the facade as is, and create an entrance through the alley.

Just 15 months in business, their restaurant, New Stanley’s 666 Club Furfante, has become the parvenu of the chic restaurant world.

Malinowski The “best ever” risottos that convinced Lazzarini to invest in Malinowski’s restaurant idea. (The risottos: saffron; mushroom; tomato.) With little more than a year in business, New Stanley’s 666 Club Furfante has received the ultimate acclaim from the renown Pirelli Restaurant Guide—3 Stars! Riley Moore The improbable “back door” to Chicago’s most epic restaurant since Grant Achatz’s award winning, Alinea Restaurant. Like both Next and Alinea, 666 Club Farfante sells tickets instead of taking reservations. The $125 tickets only buy you a place at the table. Dinner will cost you an additional $25. This is either a mark of genius or a perverse gamble on a way to offer spirits and wine without benefit of a liquor license.

Grant Achatz invented the idea of selling tickets rather than taking restaurant reservations. Malinowski says that there is no other way for a small elite restaurant to survive. With reservations, a no-show can eliminate any chance for the restaurant to make a profit. With tickets, the restaurant has already been paid.

But Malinowski takes it one step better (unless the city doesn’t agree). The $125 ticket only buys a seat at the table. Dinner will cost another $25. This is the theory. Libations and wine are free. It’s self-service at a bar cart. Pour yourself a drink or bring a bottle of wine to the table—it’s all free! The only thing that you’re paying is $125 for a seat at the table and $25 for dinner. Drinks are on the house!

Riley Moore Alley entrances to night clubs have become rather chic in recent years. Here, Malinowski says it’s a matter of necessity. Barbara Gee Malinowski in the kitchen at his 666 Club Furfante with sous chef Yobani Martinez.

Malinowski got the nickname “shooter” from his friend, Rich Melman, the CEO of one of the most successful restaurant enterprises in the country, Lettuce Entertain You. Shooter refers to Malinowski’s career as a fashion glamour photographer from 1962 through 1991—he’s shot for and had covers on magazines including Playboy and Vogue. In 1987, Malinowski created, financed, and published the trendy magazine, Metro. It is only some three years ago that Malinowski took up cooking. Now, at age 76, he is in his third career as a chef/restauranteur. Perhaps, more than anything, that is why friends and colleagues, as well as competitors are surprised at his rapid rise in the restaurant industry.

Barbara Gee Pesci ala 666 Club Furfante. Barbara Gee The James Bread Award on display at New Stanley’s 666 Club Furfante. Photos of Club Furfante Interior: 666ClubFurfante.com

MONDAY, APRIL 01.2013
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