Keith McNally is taking a break from exposing allegedly entitled, ungrateful clientele at his Balthazar restaurant… for now at least.
The sharp-tongued restaurateur was instead using social media to share the charitable deeds of staff and customers to help UNICEF’s Protect Children in Ukraine charity.
McNally this week promised that on Tuesday, “every penny that Balthazar takes in at dinner will be donated [to the charity],” while acknowledging the Soho restaurant generally “takes in between $35,000 and $40,000.”
Customers came out in support, and Balthazar exceeded its average Tuesday by $15,000.
“Balthazar took in a staggering $50,000 last night,” McNally informed his followers by Wednesday morning. All of the proceeds are going to the UNICEF charity, he said.
Meanwhile, VIP customer Scott Asen doubled the earnings.
“[Scott] generously added the same amount — $50,000 — to Balthazar’s donation. This now means UNICEF will receive $100,000 for children in Ukraine badly affected by this dreadful war,” McNally revealed. “On behalf of my hard working staff, I wish to thank all of last night’s customers, especially Scott,” he added.
McNally told Page Six, “if there’s no ceasefire within 10 days, I’m going to do exactly the same thing as [Tuesday night].” He vowed to launch the same initiative at his other restaurants, including Minetta Tavern and Morandi. “I just hope it inspires other restuarants to do the same. In the end, we’re all connected,” he said.
Other foodies have also been pitching in. McNally’s culinary nemesis Graydon Carter has also offered support to Ukraine over at his Waverly Inn. Renowned Chef Jose Andres has been providing meals to refugees fleeing the country at the Polish border, and New Yorkers have been lining up by the hundreds to support iconic Ukrainian diner Veselka in the East Village.