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Scott Conant brings a deft touch and an unwavering passion to creating singular dining experiences with soulful food and a convivial atmosphere. His career spans nearly 30 years and includes multiple restaurants, an enthusiastic following of fans and an ever-expanding brand. He has established himself as one of the country’s top chefs and restaurateurs. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Scott broke out onto the restaurant scene in his 20s, running the kitchens of famed Italian spots such as il Toscanaccio, Chianti and City Eatery, which earned glowing reviews under his leadership. Scott officially put his name on the map when he opened the beloved L’Impero in 2002. It garnered a three-star review from The New York Times, the title of Best New Restaurant from the James Beard Foundation, and praise from top publications such as Gourmet and Food & Wine, which named Scott one of America’s Best New Chefs in 2004. Following the success of L’Impero, Scott opened Alto, an elegant Italian restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Always looking to raise the bar, Scott eventually moved on to bring his own vision of sophisticated, savory Italian cooking to life with Scarpetta, which he now operates in Las Vegas and Miami. In March 2016 Scott opened Impero Caffè, a relaxed Italian spot for all-day dining at the INNSIDE New York Hotel that serves a variety of antipasti and housemade pastas, the hallmarks of his cuisine. In the same year he opened Mora Italian, a modern, convivial osteria in Phoenix. In recent years Scott has also opened D.O.C.G. Enoteca, a casual wine bar at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, and unveiled his SC Culinary Suite, a beautiful private loft in SoHo where he can interact directly with guests and bring them his special brand of hospitality through private dinners, cocktail parties and cooking demos. In 2013 he debuted a signature menu at McCarran International Airport’s new American Express Centurion Lounge. Scott has appeared on the Today Show, The Chew, CBS’ The Talk, Live with Kelly & Michael, and Good Morning America, and he is a regular judge on Chopped, consistently one of Food Network’s highest-rated programs. He has also published three cookbooks: New Italian Cooking, Bold Italian and The Scarpetta Cookbook. As Scott continues to embark on new opportunities, he looks forward to sharing his enduring philosophy: Savor the pure pleasure of food, down to its last taste.

Jim Meehan, the author of The PDT Cocktail Book and featured contributor in the iPad app, Speakeasy Cocktails: Learn from the Modern Mixologists, worked at some of New York City's most popular restaurants and bars, including Gramercy Tavern and the Pegu Club, before opening PDT with Brian Shebairo in 2007. In addition to his work at the bar, Meehan is the Deputy Editor of Food & Wine Magazine's annual cocktail book, a Liquor.com advisory board member, and a shareholder in Banks Rums. In 2012, his bar was recognized with the inaugural Outstanding Bar Program Award from the James Beard Foundation. PDT, an acronym for please don't tell, opened in May of 2007; a little over five years after Crif Dogs opened in the same building on 113 St. Marks Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A. The byproduct of Crif Dogs founder and owner Brian Shebairo's bawdy sense of humor and whimsy, and former Gramercy Tavern and Pegu Club bartender Jim Meehan's Midwestern hospitality and creative drinks, PDT has ironically become one of the cities most talked about bars. Classic cocktails with an unusual twist and a handful of hot dogs created by some of downtown New York City's most celebrated chefs are on offer, along with local beers and wines at this intimate bar's 13 bar stools and 6 tables. The bar accepts day of reservations for tables and reserves bar seats for neighborhood walk-ins: standing is not permitted. PDT is open seven days a week from 6 PM till 2 AM, sometimes later, and available for private parties for special occasions.Jim's Restaurant: PDT (New York, NY) Jim's Book:The PDT Cocktail Book (2011)