As the ultra-posh private club ZZ’s prepares to open in Hudson Yards next month, it’s promising a new kind of club experience.
A membership at ZZ’s includes a food concierge who will procure any culinary experience you want — that could include arranging a Thanksgiving meal in July, having a chef recreate your mother’s fried chicken, or getting an exotic item like Iranian caviar delivered to your house.
The club’s name is a nod to Jeff Zalaznick, who runs Major Food Group along with other restaurant namesakes including Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi.
While it may seem challenging to open a new club that’s all about food as New York City is in the midst of an Ozempic obsession, Zalaznick says he doesn’t expect restaurant tabs to slim down.
“It’s a fact… everyone is on this drug,” says Zalaznick, the co-founder of Major Food Group, which in addition to the soon-to-open ZZ’s owns top restaurants Carbone, The Lobster Club and Torrisi.
“But people are ordering more now — since they have the self-control they can order five things and just taste each,” he added. “If they do eat something, they want it to be great.”
Zalaznick adds that given the popularity of diet drugs, he’s also told staff that guests not finishing their plate is no longer a sign they didn’t like a dish.
Ahead of its opening, Zalaznick said ZZ’s has received more than 7,000 applications.
People are willing to pay top dollar to get in. Founding members — who had to be invited to apply — paid a $50,000 initiation fee so they and their families can have access to the club in perpetuity. They also pay $10,000 annually thereafter to keep their membership current.
Just this week, the club also opened itself to outside applicants who can apply for access just for themselves rather than their families. In addition to paying $10,000 for an initiation fee and $10,000 annually, they must also go through a rigorous vetting process with ZZ’s board before getting the green light.
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