A Landmark Moment for Fine Dining as Chef Charlie Mitchell Takes the Helm of Saga

Kent Hospitality Group's Flagship Restaurant Revamps Menu and Guest Experience Under New Culinary Vision

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kent Hospitality Group today announced a bold new chapter for Saga, the Michelin two-star restaurant soaring above the 63rd floor of the landmark 70 Pine Street in the Financial District. This month, acclaimed culinary visionary Chef Charlie Mitchell takes the helm, infusing one of the world's most celebrated fine dining destinations with his fresh, creative perspective.

Over the past year, Chef Mitchell, 33—the first Black chef in New York City to earn a Michelin star and a veteran of Eleven Madison Park—has developed an entirely new tasting menu. His approach blends classical French technique with deeply personal influences: flavors drawn from his grandmother's Southern cooking, traditions from his Detroit upbringing, and his fondness for Japanese seafood. A deeply soulful cuisine executed with meticulous technique.

Saga's transformation extends beyond the plate. A light renovation of the interiors and a fully refreshed visual identity nod to the Financial District of the 1990s, while embracing a contemporary interpretation of fine dining that reflects Chef Mitchell's cultural influences.

"I'm grateful to the many great chefs who came before me, gave me opportunities, and shaped my craft — people like Daniel Humm and James Kent," said Mitchell. "But I'm equally inspired by creative entrepreneurs like Virgil Abloh and Jay-Z, who mastered their craft while staying true to their roots and bringing their communities with them. I'm a kid from Detroit—that's the perspective I bring to Saga."

Mitchell's appointment carries deep personal meaning. After Kent's unexpected passing in 2024, Mitchell accepted the invitation to lead his mentor's restaurant—leaving his intimate 26-seat Clover Hill for this soaring dining room—to honor Kent's legacy while charting his own creative path. Kent's vision was always to empower the next generation of culinary talent and make Saga one of the best restaurants in the world, a mission Mitchell continues to pursue with unwavering dedication.

In collaboration with celebrated fashion designer Sergio Hudson—known for his bold color palettes, sharp tailoring, and modern take on power dressing—Saga's staff uniforms now reinterpret the confident silhouettes of classical Wall Street through the lens of today's cultural influences. Further elevating the intersection of culinary and sartorial artistry, designer Grace Wales Bonner has also created a custom chef's jacket for Mitchell.  Acclaimed architecture firm Modellus Novus has updated the interiors, further elevating the guest experience.

"I've followed Charlie's career since his Clover Hill days and have always known he was a one-of-a-kind talent," said Maverick Carter, partner at Kent Hospitality Group. "When creative talent of this caliber is given a platform and empowered to fully express their vision, extraordinary things happen."

The new Saga experience opened to the public on September 1st with reservations available via Resy.

"Charlie is one of the most gifted chefs I've had the privilege to work alongside," said Daniel Humm, chef and owner of Eleven Madison Park. "His cooking has a rare combination of precision, creativity, and soul – which makes him the perfect chef to carry the incredible legacy of Saga forward."

In leading Saga as a restaurant defined not merely by accolades but by the community that sustains them, Mitchell continues Kent's ethos of authentic cultural expression executed at the highest level of culinary artistry.

"I want Saga to reflect the diverse, global tastes and interests of the next generation of fine diners," said Chef Charlie Mitchell. "My approach to cooking blends classical technique with personal and cultural influences, creating an experience that tells a story and connects with people from all backgrounds."

Media Contacts:

Eve-Marie Kuijstermans
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Taryn Bensky
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Lena Touzos
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Julia Lissy
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SOURCE Kent Hospitality Group