Award-Winning Chef Alex Guarnaschelli Takes the Helm at The New York Historical’s Restaurant Clara

Clara at The New York Historical. Photo credit: Great Performances.

The New York Historical proudly announces the arrival of Food Network star and award-winning chef Alex Guarnaschelli to its marquee restaurant, Clara. A celebrated culinary leader, Guarnaschelli brings her signature blend of creativity and precision to the museum’s dining experience. She is joined in the kitchen by her esteemed longtime collaborator, Chef Michael Jenkins, in partnership with Great Performances. Together, they present a vibrant seasonal American menu that highlights peak local ingredients, including fresh produce from regional greenmarkets and Great Performances’ own Katchkie Farm.

“I grew up near The New York Historical and have always admired the museum and everything it represents,” said Guarnaschelli. “Our goal is to offer diners approachable, delicious American food that complements the richness of the museum experience.”

Clara’s menu opens with standout starters such as Chilled Asparagus Mimosa, Artichokes Barigoule, and a market-fresh soup of the day. For lighter fare, the Chopped Salad and Gem Lettuce Salad comes with a variety of protein additions including grilled chicken and seared salmon. Refined and seasonal, the entrée offerings include Spring Pea & Mint Ravioli, the beloved Clara Cheeseburger, and a subtly prepared Fluke Amandine. A sweet finale awaits with the rotating surprise cake of the day—a playful nod to Guarnaschelli’s love of pastry.

Clara’s curated wine list offers an expansive selection designed to pair beautifully with the menu, from bold reds to crisp whites and nuanced rosés. The cocktail menu leans into timeless sophistication, anchored by elevated takes on classics like the Mint Julep, Pimm’s Cup, and Pasilla Chili Margarita.

The dining room at Clara offers a bright, welcoming space filled with natural light from the large windows during the day and the warm glow from stunning chandeliers at night. An open kitchen hums with energy, while curated displays of Tiffany lamps and historical collectibles seamlessly meld restaurant with museum in the warm, inviting dining room.

Clara honors the work of Clara Driscoll (1861-1944), head of Tiffany Studios’ women’s glass-cutting department. For years, Driscoll and her team of “Tiffany Girls” worked in anonymity, until research uncovered her role as the designer behind many of the firm’s most celebrated glass shades. Today, many of her creations are on display in the Museum’s Gallery of Tiffany Lamps.

Clara is open for lunch and dinner. Museum admission is not necessary to dine at the restaurant. To make a reservation or view the menu, visit clara-nyc.com.

The New York Historical
170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024
www.nyhistory.org  

About The New York Historical
New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution covering over 400 years of American history. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; peerless collections of art, documents, and artifacts; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better. Connect with us at nyhistory.org or at @nyhistory on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Tumblr.

About Alex Guarnaschelli
Food Network star chef Alex Guarnaschelli—host of Ciao House, The Kitchen, Supermarket Stakeout, and Alex vs. America, and a judge on Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay—is also one of only three women chefs to earn the Iron Chef title on Iron Chef America. She is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, with Cook It Up: Bold Moves for Family Foods and Italian American Forever: Classic Recipes for Everything You Want to Eat. Since 2003, Guarnaschelli has served as executive chef at Butter in New York City, and in 2025, she took the helm at The New York Historical’s marquee restaurant, Clara.

Connect with Alex at alexguarnaschelli.com and on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

About Great Performances
Great Performances was founded in 1980 as a waitress service for women in the arts as a flexible way to supplement their income. Today, GP is one of the country’s leading hospitality, catering, and events companies, whose exclusive contracts include Plaza Hotel, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Museum, BAM, and the Apollo Theater. GP is mission driven with deep roots in the art and New York City civic and community life, promoting sustainable food practices through its organic farm, Katchkie Farm, in Upstate New York. Since 1985, the company has offered emerging artist scholarships to their service staff through their Fellowship program. Connect with GP at greatperformances.com or at @gpfood on Instagram, Facebook, and @gpfoodtok on TikTok.