Flynn McGarry is not your average 19 year-old. I first encountered the prodigy chef at a queue waiting to enter an Opening Ceremony after party in 2016, a noisy night marked by trap music and an overflow of Tiger beers. He had just moved to Manhattan and carried the energy of the city that surrounded him. Fast forwarding to two years later, nothing could have anticipated a more drastic change in view than re-meeting the young chef at his new LES restaurant called Gem.

Gem’s menu is vegetable-focused with dishes that hone in on the season’s best harvest. Each dish is skillfully plated, artfully composed of contrasting textures and minimal garnish. There is a consistent and calculated balance to the flavor profile of each plate.

Gem is inspired by and named after McGarry’s mother Meg (spelled backwards). The 36 seat restaurant has two rooms, split between a day and night concept. The Living Room serves as a casual cafe offering pastries and coffee from the morning through the afternoon. The Dining Room commences during dinner service, where the meal begins with a glass of champagne followed by a 12 to 15 course pre-fixe menu.