Simon Kim Opens Three Dining Concepts at Philip Johnson's 550 Madison

Restaurateur Simon Kim has launched three distinct dining concepts—Cote 550, Bar Chimera, and Sushi Yoshitake—inside the landmark 550 Madison Avenue building in New York. Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the postmodern skyscraper originally opened in the early 1980s as the AT&T Building. The lobby and lower levels were transformed by Rockwell Group, which also designed the tower's amenity spaces. Cote 550 is a subterranean steakhouse with mirrored surfaces and a dry-aging room; Bar Chimera is a ground-floor brasserie with three bars devoted to whiskey, wine, and martinis; and Sushi Yoshitake, led by chef Masahiro Yoshitake, will open in fall 2025. The project includes neon artworks by Turner Prize–winning artist Martin Creed, a gold mesh sculpture by Catellani & Smith, and custom wall coverings by Korean artist Teo Yang. Kim, founder of Gracious Hospitality Management, is best known for his Michelin-starred Cote in the Flatiron district, which has expanded to Miami, Singapore, and Las Vegas. Beverage director Victoria James developed the martini program with careful attention to water pH and olive sourcing. The dining rooms feature a 23-foot-tall Norfolk pine, a turquoise water feature, and a private dining room with karaoke.