About Resto
Resto, French slang for a casual restaurant, opened its doors in April 2007. The concept of a laid back neighborhood gathering place with approachable Belgian food in the style of New York was created by owner Christian Pappanicholas.
Resto has become a destination in Gramercy Park / Murray Hill for a delicious dinner, weekend brunch or a late night bite. The knowledgeable and friendly staff is well versed in the extensive Belgian beer list and the thoughtful wine list which focuses on a varied selection of European wines. The menu is crafted using traditional French technique, with an emphasis on seasonal, local, farm fresh ingredients. Resto also emphasizes group / nose-to-tail dining with options like Cote De Boeuf, Poularde in Half Mourning and our Large Format Feast Program.
Resto’s dining room can accommodate 70 guests with 10 seats at the bar. We encourage bar dining. We also offer seasonal, outdoor seating which can accommodate 6 guests.
We encourage reservations but always hold tables for for walk-in customers. Our bar and sidewalk seating is offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Please contact us for reservations at 212.685.5585 or online.
Our Staff
Christian Pappanicholas
Originally from Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Christian grew up in the Restaurant industry. His Father, Evan, owned two restaurants from 1968-1998. A competitive tennis player since the age of five, Christian received a degree in finance and entrepreneurship from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He then moved to Manhattan in where he began working at Insignia ESG in commercial real estate. After 5 years his passion for food and drink combined with an entrepreneurial spirit quickly took over and he found himself at the French Culinary Institute in what he called a vacation from the real world. While spending each day around distinguished chefs and of course, his passion—food—his mind worked at a rapid pace to figure out how he could break into the highly competitive NYC restaurant scene. Manager to open Snack Taverna in the West Village. Afterwards, he went to work for the Brothers Denton to run Inoteca on the Lower East Side and finally moved over to manage Mario Batali’s Otto.
After spending some time in Belgium during a friend’s wedding, Christian was intrigued by Belgian culture through the Monastery brewed Belgian beer and sophisticated pub food. Christian’s entrepreneurial drive helped him hone all the skills to open the doors to his own restaurant, Resto, in the Spring of 2007. Since then, Resto has been well received by residents in the Gramercy Park and Murray Hill neighborhoods and a recipient of noteworthy accolades. Resto was named one of the Top 10 Best New Restaurants in the New York Times, also was reviewed and given 2 stars in the New York Times. New York Magazine gave it 4 stars in addition to one of the Best New Restaurants for 2008.
During trips to Europe in the Fall of 2009 & 2010 Christian began to develop the idea for a beer and butcher shop. In 2011 Christian Opened The Cannibal Beer & Butcher shop.
Christian continues to pursue its passion for great seasonal & local food as well as it passion for Belgian beer. He also competes regularly on tennis tournaments.