Model/philanthropist Elettra Wiedemann announces the return of GOODNESS, a four-day pop-up restaurant at ROBERT, located atop the Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle). Teaming up this season with notable chefs Alain Allegretti, Mario Batali, Leo Forneas and Julian Medina along with the iconic editorial voice of Fashion Week, The Daily Front Row, GOODNESS will offer fast, fresh cuisine for the fashion community in a relaxed, elegant setting. This season it has earned the stamp of approval from the CFDA’s Health Initiative, making it the go-to destination for health-conscious models, designers and industry insiders from February 11th through the 14th.
“We created the CFDA Health Initiative in 2007 to spread the word that health is beauty,” says the organization’s CEO Steven Kolb. “Elettra is one of our Health Initiative Ambassadors, and she understands how important it is for the fashion community to have access to healthy meals during the shows. She created this restaurant to provide this service, and we’re happy to recommend it to everyone participating in this season’s fashion week.”
“I founded GOODNESS to provide quick and healthy food in a space that’s close to Lincoln Center,” explains Elettra Wiedemann. “But this season we’re offering so much more. As a CFDA Health Initiative Ambassador, I am so happy to have them join us.”
“We are also excited to partner with CIRCA for the first time” she adds. “They’re a natural fit for us because both GOODNESS and CIRCA promote environmental sustainability—GOODNESS by using locally sourced foods and CIRCA by ‘recycling’ classic jewelry into new hands. It’s great to tie in a stylish element to GOODNESS during this season’s fashion week, and demonstrate that luxury and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.”
Open each day for lunch from 11am to 3pm, GOODNESS will take over ROBERT, located atop the Museum of Arts and Design in Columbus Circle. ROBERT Executive Chef Leo Forneas will combine greenmarket produce and artisanal ingredients to create GOODNESS’s daily menu of health-conscious entrees, starters and desserts. Each day, the menu will also feature decadent options from daily changing guest chefs. These flavorful specials come from some of New York’s top chefs, including Mario Batali (Babbo) on Saturday, Leo Forneas on Sunday, Alain Allegretti (La Promenade des Anglais) on Monday and Julian Medina (Toloache) on Tuesday. Ranging from rich Italian offerings to refined Mexican cuisine, these daily specials will make GOODNESS the center of the culinary world this February. On Valentine’s Day, proceeds from sales of a special Vanilla Custard Flan with Berry Pico de Gallo dessert by Chef Medina will benefit New York’s City Harvest, New York City’s only food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding hungry men, women, and children.
“Fashion and healthy, wholesome food don’t necessary go hand in hand, but Elettra’s visionary focus is beautifully merging the two worlds once again, if only for a short time,” says guest chef Mario Batali. “I’m excited to be working on this fun and innovative project and to be hanging in my Crocs and shorts with the beautiful people of the fashion world for a day.”
For the first time, GOODNESS will also present the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels on the 7th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design. Designed as a comfortable “living room” for reporters, models and editors to relax and recharge, the Lounge will feature a touch-up station from beauty sponsor Lancôme and Wi-Fi connections for the busy fashionista. Wiedemann has also partnered with Talenthouse and DJ Zen Freeman to choose a winning resident DJ to provide a soothing soundtrack of lounge music and modern remixes to the fashion elite who visit the lounge. The winning DJ will become part of the artist roster for RLife LIVE, Renaissance Hotels’ entertainment platform that provides both local and guest unique performances and one-of-a-kind experiences with up-and-coming musicians. Past artists have included the likes of Bruno Mars, Janelle Monae and Robyn.
GOODNESS at New York Fashion Week will be open February 11th-14th from 11am to 3pm at 2 Columbus Circle. For more information and menus, visit goodnesspopup.com.
