We Asked an Actual Shaker What He Thinks of New York’s ‘Shaker Food’ Scene. He Said: ‘Nay.’

It started with the Commerce Inn. Jody Williams and Rita Sodi — two wildly successful NYC restaurateurs responsible for a parade of West Village hits including Via Carota and Buvette — announced last year that their latest project was going to be taking its cues from the Shakers, a religious group that historically farmed much of their own food.
The months-old restaurant, which is already drawing praise, is decked out in minimalist wooden Shaker-style furniture. . Bound like a prayer booklet, the menu advertises bowls of beans, lobster chowder, and pickled beets.