THE CITY'S Finest

This week celebrity chef Judy Joo chats with Mark Strausman about life in and out of the kitchen

Whether you’re a New York native or just in town for a quick visit, a meal at Mark Strausman’s Mark’s Off Madison is a must — especially in the summer. “The patio is almost the same size as the restaurant. It’s not on the street but adjacent to the building, so we have an authentic outdoor café,” the famed chef says of his Flatiron eatery and bagel bakery, which was recently named on the New York Times’ list of 100 best restaurants in NYC. “It is a fantastic [honor], and I wish my mother was alive to see it,” he shares.

“I work hard without any expectations… so it makes it worthwhile when things like that happen.” Here, Strausman sits down with chef Judy Joo to talk about his culinary career, celebrity clientele and fave foods.