There may be no other restaurant in New York today as well known as The Four Seasons. The quality of its food, its remarkable ambiance and a clientele of famous names and faces have combined to make The Four Seasons a New York landmark.

Co-owners Alex von Bidder and Julian Niccolini preside over the front of the house, making every guest feel like a regular and every regular feel like family. Christian Albin is the creative force in the kitchen, orchestrating a menu of superlative Continental cuisine.

Saori Kawano recently chatted with Mr. Niccolini and Executive Chef Albin, who has been with the Four Seasons since 1973.

Julian: “Christian does his job so well because he does it for his pleasure! He loves what he does.”

Christian: “Not many restaurants have lasted as long as the Four Seasons and maintained the quality. But because of the owners, I have the freedom to do things, to make changes in the menu. Today food is sophisticated and elegant. It's fine with lots of cutting. The better the knife, the easier it is.
The knives I like best have to feel right. You need to take it in your hand and see if its well-balanced. A good knife is the extension of your fingers. It's what your fingers would do it they did the cutting!
I love Japanese knives because the craftsmanship is different. It's like making music. To me, the Japanese knives are the best.”