While the doors of Third Kingdom have closed, the work continues at @avantgardennyc - Chef Juan Pajarito’s first restaurant, and the foundation for everything that followed.
A selection of Third Kingdom dishes now lives on there, alongside new expressions shaped by the same philosophy.
This next chapter takes form through Understory - a new culinary residency continuing that work, with a focus on mushrooms, preservation, and the flavors of the forest.
The kickoff event centers on porcini mushrooms. The 5-course tasting menu explores their many dimensions through a multi-course dinner, drawing on the techniques and ideas that defined Third Kingdom while expanding them with new seasonal perspectives.
If you’ve been with us, you’ll recognize it.
If you haven’t, there’s no better place to begin.
Join us at @avantgardennyc . 🍄
Third Kingdom doesn’t end here. It evolves.
What we built — a world shaped by mushrooms, time, and quiet intensity — continues in a new form.
With Understory, a selection of dishes now lives on at @avantgardennyc , alongside new expressions shaped by the same philosophy.
For those who joined us — for the mycophiles, the curious, the ones who understood — this is a continuation.
Starting this Friday at @avantgardennyc .
Join us at @avantgardennyc for a special five-course morel mushroom dinner marking the next chapter of our Understory residency.
In the wake of our closure, Understory continues the spirit of forest-driven cooking in a new home. This dinner centers on rare and wild morel mushrooms, showcased by Chef Juan Pajarito in a menu that explores depth, seasonality, and the flavors of the forest floor.
For this evening, longtime guests and local foragers Isaac and Meredith of Catskill Collectors are bringing an extraordinary fresh haul of wild New York ramps, harvested after years of dedicated sustainable foraging. Their ramps will be woven throughout the menu, paired with the morels in a way that feels immediate, grounded, and deeply tied to place.
Limited seats. Book your table at the link in our bio.
Chef Juan Pajarito’s mushroom-focused dishes are now part of the menu at Avant Garden, bringing that same depth, technique, and range of flavors into a new setting.
Beech, rich and comforting with cauliflower cream, nori butter, and breadcrumbs.
Maitake Mille-Feuille, layered with potato and black truffle. King Royal Trumpet Raviolo, with ricotta, herbs, and a green sauce that leans into the forest.
Black Pearl Oyster Enmolada, deep with mole. Blue Oyster, savory and structured with celery root, fennel, and peppercorn.
Now on the menu at Avant Garden. 🍄
Like the mushrooms that inspired us, this chapter was rare, fleeting, and deeply meaningful.
What began as a three-month pop-up - an open-ended experiment built around mushrooms - grew into something truly special. It became a space shaped by curiosity, creativity, and most of all, by the people who kept coming back.
Every visit, every shared plate, every late-night conversation at the bar helped turn this project into something far bigger than we ever imagined.
We are endlessly grateful for this community.
While this chapter is coming to a close, our love for mushroom-driven cooking - and for you - isn’t going anywhere! There is still so much to explore, and we’re excited to continue this work in new ways in the future.
But for now, our focus is on making these final weeks unforgettable.
We’ll be serving the dishes you love, hosting special moments, and celebrating everything that made Third Kingdom what it is. We hope you’ll join us, raise a glass with us, and help us close this chapter the way it deserves - together! ❤️🍄
Who knew mushrooms were this beautiful?!?!
@thirdkingdomnyc did… no wonder @thenewyorkcitybroker didn’t share any of these dishes wirh @maxhoffmann
I know it’s hard to pick butttt which is your favorite?? Comment below and follow @mychefsocial today!
If you love mushrooms as much as @thenewyorkcitybroker , you NEED to check out @thirdkingdomnyc where every dish is centered around mushrooms!
What is your favorite mushroom? Comment below and follow @mychefsocial for more unique dining experiences!
A few reasons to dine with us this week! We have new dishes by @chef_juan_xaltepex_ , plus fresh Black Autumn Truffles from the Sharr Mountains of Kosovo! Available as a supplement to any dish. 🍄
After weeks of foraging for ideas and refining flavors, @chef_juan_xaltepex_ has finalized the menu for Matsutake: Nightmare of the Underwood. 🍄 Each dish centers on the elusive Matsutake - wild, aromatic, and only in season for a moment - reimagined through smoke, spice, and shadow. Few seats remain for Monday’s dinner. Don’t forget your costume at home! Best dressed wins a $100 gift card redeemable at any @overthrowhospitality venue.
