Last night, the Post logged a real-estate transaction, relating the news that chef J.J. Johnson, formerly of the Cecil and Minton’s in Harlem, has signed a lease to open a new, fast-casual restaurant in the neighborhood. In part because of his held-over residency at Chefs Club, the news likely didn’t come as a surprise, but Johnson says the report jumped the gun.
“I just signed the lease nine days ago,” Johnson tells Grub. “I was hoping to announce it on my own terms, to let Harlem know first. No offense to everybody else, but it’s a community-based restaurant that’s being built for the community.”
“I appreciate all the support, though,” he added, saying he found out about the Post story when a friend texted him this morning to schedule celebratory drinks.
“This is a little glimpse of what it’s going to be,” he says. “It’s truly a rice concept. It’s not like we’re going to be shoveling grains into a bowl and giving it to people. I live in Harlem, and I don’t think there’s anything in the community for people to eat on a daily basis. I want people to come here two or three days a week.”