Keith McNally
Keith McNally | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 (age 73–74) Bethnal Green, London, England |
| Occupation | Restaurateur |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Brian McNally (brother) |
Keith McNally (born 1951) is a British-born New York City restaurateur, the owner of several establishments including the Parisian-style brasserie Balthazar, and formerly Nell's nightclub.
Early life
McNally was born in 1951 in London, England. He grew up in the working-class East End neighborhood of Bethnal Green, where his father worked as a dockworker and his mother was a self-educated homemaker.[1] McNally left school at age 16 and initially pursued acting. In the late 1960s, he landed a role in playwright Alan Bennett’s West End production Forty Years On, and Bennett became both a mentor and later McNally’s romantic partner.[1]
In 1975, McNally moved to New York City, where he took entry-level restaurant jobs. He quickly rose to floor manager.
Career
Restaurants
McNally has been active in New York City since the 1980s. In that time, he has opened multiple restaurants including Augustine, Balthazar, Cafe Luxembourg, Cherche Midi, Lucky Strike, Minetta Tavern, Morandi, Nell's, The Odeon, Pastis, Pravda, Pulino's,[2] and Schiller's.[3] Frank Bruni awarded three stars to Minetta Tavern in 2009.[4] The New York Times has called him "The Restaurateur Who Invented Downtown."[5]
In October 2022, McNally banned James Corden from entering his restaurants after Corden had behaved rudely toward a server after receiving an improperly prepared order.[6] Corden later privately apologized to McNally and McNally's staff, after which McNally removed the ban.[7] Subsequently, Corden also publicly apologized to both McNally and the staff on his late night show.[8]
Acting
McNally was a member of the original London cast of Alan Bennett's play Forty Years On in 1968, playing the part of Macilwaine.
Personal life
McNally married Lynn Wagenknecht in the early 1980s, after meeting her while working in the restaurant industry in New York City.[9] The couple had three children together, including actress Isabelle McNally.[10] They divorced in 1994.
Wagenknecht later retained ownership of several early ventures co-founded with McNally, including The Odeon and Café Luxembourg. McNally later remarried and had two additional children. His brother, Brian McNally, is also a restaurateur in New York.[5]
McNally has been described as "cantankerous" on Instagram.[11]
In May 2021, McNally faced controversy on Instagram after posting that Ghislaine Maxwell "must be given a fair trial".[12]
References
- ^ a b Fischer, Molly (2025-05-05). "Keith McNally's Guide to Making a Scene". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ Platt, Adam (6 May 2010). "Adam Platt on Pulino's Bar and Pizzeria -- New York Magazine Restaurant Review". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
- ^ Sifton, Sam (2010-05-04). "The Bowery Through Keith McNally's Lens - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
- ^ Bruni, Frank (2009-05-19). "The Minetta Tavern Is Back". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
- ^ a b "The Restaurateur Who Invented Downtown". The New York Times. 2004-01-18. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
- ^ Patterson, Charmaine (2022-10-18). "James Corden Banned from NYC Restaurant, Owner Says". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (2022-10-18). "James Corden Unbanned from NYC's Balthazar After He 'Apologized Profusely,' Owner Says After Calling Him the 'Most Abusive Customer'". Variety. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ^ Bryant, Kenzie (2022-10-25). "James Corden Apologizes to Balthazar Waitstaff on Television, and Keith McNally Bans Himself From the Restaurant". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ "Keith McNally Memoir Shares Regrets and Triumphs". City Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ Barbuti, Angela (10 January 2014). "Isabelle McNally, Jonah Hill's Girlfriend: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ Lutkin, Aimée (2022-10-18). "The Epic Saga of James Corden Versus Balthazar Explained". W Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ Askinasi, Rachel (May 7, 2021). "Patrons are turning against a famous restaurateur over his controversial Instagram posts about Ghislaine Maxwell". insider.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.