Created by Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli, Shun reflects his experiences cooking in both Japan and France. The menu marries French-based cuisine and technique with Japanese ingredients and aesthetics to create a contemporary dining experience distinct to NYC. As guests ascend the marble staircase leading into the Shun dining room, all elements from the cuisine, to the style of service, the tableware, and the minimalist yet luxurious interior design by Architect Joseph Dirand, are meant to work in harmony and transport .

The restaurant borrows its name from the Japanese principle of shun, the belief that food should be enjoyed seasonally and locally, at its peak ripeness. As place and time informed chef Alain Verzeroli's French-Japanese menu, so too did the restaurant’s locus inspire Dirand’s design. “It had to really be New York, and not Japan or France, and also work well with the architecture of the building, which is inspired by the '30s,” he says. Art Deco allusions abound in the sleek interior, but without the negative connotations that often come with such nostalgic overtures. 

To promote a sense of intimacy within the manicured room, Dirand carved up the space. The louvers that run from the ground floor to the second floor protect the interiors from the outside, and create a type of cocoon. Tables spaced apart, as well as richly textured carpets and sofas, add warmth. He wanted to create a very residential feeling with these very comfortable armchairs, a luxury restaurant that is both glam and very cozy.