Willet’s Corner, a new neighborhood restaurant from lifelong New Yorker Ken Halberg and the team behind the former Flatiron favorite Harding’s, has opened at 420 Amsterdam Avenue, at 80th Street, offering a menu of shareable, ingredient-focused dishes alongside a thoughtful beverage program. The lively dining room, anchored by an 11-seat bar, features wrap-around windows, banquette seating, painted exposed brick, and warm oak and walnut finishes, creating a welcoming Upper West Side atmosphere.
Team and Leadership
Ken Halberg brings more than two decades of experience running New York City restaurants, including stints at Strip House and his own concepts, Harding’s and Casa Neta. For Willet’s Corner, Halberg has reunited his longtime team: Executive Chef Joel Zaragoza, who led the kitchen at Harding’s for over a decade; Beverage Director Hugo Ayala, a collaborator from Harding’s and Casa Neta; and Jill Halberg, Ken’s wife and business partner, overseeing catering, events, and community engagement.
Menu Highlights
Designed for sharing, Willet’s Corner’s menu balances healthful, ingredient-driven dishes with nods to Harding’s crowd favorites. Starters include:
- Fig Toast: whipped ricotta, red wine–poached figs, rosemary honey, balsamic on sourdough
- Roasted Za’atar Cauliflower with crispy capers and garlic aioli
- Air Fries with house-made ketchup
Housemade flatbreads feature offerings like the Levantine Flatbread with hummus, roasted red peppers, feta, and za’atar, and the Hudson Valley Forager with roasted mushrooms, Vidalia onions, and mozzarella.
Salads include the Umami (shredded cabbage, toasted cashews, pickled peppers, hoisin vinaigrette) and the Harvest(farro, green apple, Cabot cheddar, walnuts, apple cider vinaigrette).
Sandwich options highlight the Seared Ahi Tuna, a reimagined tuna burger with herbed crusted ahi, cucumber ribbons, pickled onions, arugula, and garlic aioli on ciabatta, and the French Dip with roast beef, provolone, roasted garlic butter, and au jus.
Pastas, both fresh and imported, include Tagliatelle al Pomodoro and Campanelle Bolognese, while mains feature Grilled Tuna Tacos with coconut-ginger marinated tuna and Short Rib braised in red wine and strawberry preserves. Desserts include Flourless Chocolate Cake and Apple Crisp with vanilla bean ice cream.
Beverage Program
Willet’s Corner offers modern cocktails with functional ingredients, such as the Strawberry Thistle, Velvet Dagger, Dirty Chai Espresso Martini, and a refined Harding’s Old Fashioned. The zero-proof menu features vibrant, health-forward options like the Smoky Orchard (Lapsang Souchong tea, apple juice, honey, ginger beer) and Jade Garden(jasmine tea, yuzu).
The wine list emphasizes natural and organic selections, with 12 available by the glass or bottle. Four beers on tap, bottled and cider options (including gluten-free), and curated coffee and tea complete the beverage program.
Design and Atmosphere
The restaurant combines retro-inspired elements with warm, inviting finishes. The 11-seat bar runs along the right side of the restaurant, while custom chestnut leather banquettes, cane-backed chairs, and oak and walnut tables fill the dining room. Large street-facing windows allow natural light to stream in, connecting diners with the surrounding neighborhood.
Hours and Reservations
Willet’s Corner is open for dinner Tuesday–Saturday, 4:30–11 PM, and brunch Saturday & Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM. Reservations are available via Resy, with pick-up and delivery options coming soon.
Follow along on Instagram: @willetscorner.
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