A Unique Glimpse into New York City’s Restaurant Culture
Netflix’sBlack Rabbitoffers viewers a fresh and compelling look at the vibrant and often chaotic world of New York City’s restaurant scene. Premiering on the streaming platform on September 18, the crime drama follows Jude Law and Jason Bateman as Jake and Vince, two brothers who transition from musicians to restaurateurs. Their contrasting personalities create a dynamic tension: one brother is desperately trying to keep the titular establishment afloat, while the other, a reckless gambler, finds himself in deep financial trouble.
The show begins with Vince returning to New York City, pursued by loan sharks, setting off a chain of events that plunge the brothers into chaos. The narrative is crafted by the married co-creators, Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, who draw inspiration from the rich history of real-life New York City restaurants.
Designing a World Rooted in Authenticity
Production designer Alex DiGerlando played a key role in bringing the world ofBlack Rabbitto life. He found inspiration not only in the city itself but also in its storied past. According to Marie Claire, the entire series was filmed in New York City, either on location or at Steiner Studios’ soundstage in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Exterior shots were taken at 279 Water Street in the South Street Seaport area, one of the last remaining wood-frame buildings in Lower Manhattan.
DiGerlando shared with Netflix’s Tudum that the interior set of the Black Rabbit was inspired by the original architecture of 279 Water Street. “We lifted a lot of details directly from that architecture — things like the carved wood banister, the exposed lath, the peeling wallpaper, the chipping brick and concrete,” he said. “All those things are in that original location. We just pulled our favorite moments into the design.”
In addition to the historical elements, DiGerlando also drew inspiration from former New York City eateries such as Chumley’s, One if By Land, Two if By Sea, Fraunces Tavern, and Freemans Restaurant. These establishments provided a foundation for the visual storytelling of the show.
Rock and Roll Influences
The show’s rock and roll flavoring also influenced the design process. DiGerlando and his team looked to the homes of classic rockers like Jimmy Page and Keith Richards for inspiration. “Because of the rock’n’roll origin story of the Rabbit, we talked about looking at classic rockers’ homes — for example, Jimmy Page and Keith Richards live in these amazing English estates,” he explained. “So we were looking at those and thinking about taverns in the English countryside — the kind you could imagine stumbling into after a long day of traveling — and [we] started pulling all these references.”
This blend of rock and roll aesthetics with the gritty reality of New York City’s restaurant culture helps to create a unique atmosphere that setsBlack Rabbitapart.
Real Locations, Fictional Establishment
WhileBlack Rabbitis inspired by real New York City establishments and history, the titular restaurant itself is fictional. Co-creators Baylin and Susman cited the Spotted Pig, a gastropub that closed in 2020 due to allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, as their biggest inspiration. The couple lived near the establishment in the 2000s.
They also noted other former New York City restaurants, such as Prune, Beatrice Inn, Babbo, and the Dressler, as influences forBlack Rabbit. “We were completely intoxicated and obsessed with what was going on with these restaurants,” Susman told Esquire. “At a number of these places, like the Spotted Pig or Dressler, stories came out later that there was so much going on there that we weren’t aware of. There were these really dark underbellies. Zach and I had worked in restaurants for a long time in high school and college. So we understood the difference between what you see and what happens when the lights turn off.”
