Homage to Dramatically Improve FiDi Lunch Options Very Soon

The Financial District can be a mind-numbing area of mediocre (and overpriced) sandwiches and salads, something chef David Kurtz (Maven) is hoping to change. Opening this Monday, May 2 in a cute alley off Kearny is Homage, Kurtz’s new breakfast and lunch spot that will (ahem) pay homage to local farmers by featuring a different farm every two weeks. "It's a big departure from what I'm accustomed to; my whole life has been fine dining, multiple Michelin stars and it’s always been that rat race," he told Eater. "This is taking all of those experiences, purveyors and connections and applying it to a whole new set of menus and location and focus."

The hyper-seasonal California cuisine will change with the farmers, but generally focus on soups, salads and sandwiches (see the menu in full below). First up is Knoll Farms, a strictly organic production in Santa Ana. Kurtz got fava greens, red chard, spicy arugula, lacinato kale, green onions, green almonds, green garlic, horseradish leaves, fresh horseradish, valencia oranges, arugula and mustard blossoms, apple mint, mojito mint, lemon verbena and garlic chives this go round, so he’ll be incorporating those into the salads and soups, but the mainstays on the menu include a cubano, prime rib and lasagna.

"We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, but put a really big focus on the wheel through products, preparations and technique that we're most accustomed to in fine dining but making it really accessible," Kurtz said. Nothing is prepackaged, but Kurtz is putting a premium on speed, and all items fall into the FiDi standard lunch price range of $12 to $14.

Beyond lunch, Homage opens at 8 a.m. daily for workers to grab coffee, tea, pastries and light breakfast items on the way to work (or to sit there and enjoy in the 50-seat space and outdoor area — stay tuned for photos next week). Kurtz is baking all bread and pastries in house every morning, even milling the grains himself. He expects to add later service with happy hour items in the future.

Homage will open Monday, May 2 at 8 a.m. and be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.