ABOUT US
Established in 2024, Cafe Commerce emerged from a shared vision among Chef Harold Moore, Managing Director Charles Pouchot, and Business Partner Patrick Corbett. Drawing on their extensive experience together, they set out to create an upscale neighborhood restaurant rooted in the philosophy of bistronomy.
Our mission is to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere where both regulars and newcomers feel welcome. Nestled in an intimate setting with 15 carefully arranged tables, Cafe Commerce is designed to be a hidden gem — enveloping guests in a space that is as warm and personal as it is meticulously curated. Whether you are visiting for a quiet dinner, a gathering with friends, a solo evening at the bar or enjoying a meal alfresco, our focus is on delivering a relaxed and welcoming experience, enhanced by exceptional cuisine and genuine hospitality.
Our bistronomy-driven menu offers a distinctive culinary journey, uniquely melding the vibrant spirit of New York City with the soulful essence of France. We emphasize American cuisine crafted in the French tradition, perfectly complemented by cleverly crafted cocktails and a focused, eclectic list of French, Italian and American wines.
A hallmark of our establishment is the principle of small things done well. From the booths to the glassware and artwork, in addition to our culinary offerings, we aspire to reveal something special in the details.
OUR SPACE
Dining Room: 40 seats
Bar: 11 seats first come, first served
Outdoor Patio: 12 seats first come, first served
Party Size: We can accommodate parties of up to 4 guests maximum for regular dining.
RESERVATIONS
We accept reservations exclusively through Resy.
Released 14 days in advance at 9:00 AM
Bar and patio seating are always first come, first served
We kindly do not take reservations by phone or email
Charles Pouchot, Harold Moore & Patrick Corbett
OUR TEAM
HAROLD MOORE
Executive Chef
In a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, New York Chef Harold Moore has spent countless hours in the kitchens of renowned French culinary masters, leading him to several projects including Commerce, Bistro Pierre Lapin, Harold’s and now, Cafe Commerce.
Moore grew up in northern New Jersey, giving him unfettered access to Manhattan’s renowned restaurant scene before he eventually enrolled in and graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Soon after, Moore honed his craft in some of Manhattan’s most celebrated kitchens, working for both Daniel Boulud and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Inspired by these US-based chefs, Moore took a year pilgrimage in France’s most influential kitchens.
Moore’s career accelerated when he was named Executive Chef of the famed New York City restaurant Montrachet in 2000. While there, Moore was nominated for “Rising Star Chef” by the James Beard Foundation and garnered praise from The New York Times, Food & Wine, USA Today, among others. Following Montrachet, Moore went on to earn a coveted Michelin star while working alongside Wayne Nish at March before opening his first restaurant Commerce, an American-style bistro in Manhattan’s West Village, in 2008. Much to the pleasure of gourmands across the city, Moore brought his own vision of elevated comfort food to life for several years at Commerce while garnering a number of accolades including Best New Restaurant, Best New Chef, Essential New York Restaurants, and a standing Michelin Guide recommendation every year it was open.
In 2016, Moore opened Harold’s Meat + Three, the first traditional Southern dining experience of its kind in the five boroughs. In Spring of 2018, he opened the lively, French-inspired Bistro Pierre Lapin. Combining French classics and nouveau creations touched with New York sensibilities. Following that, Moore served as Chief Culinary Officer of the Charlie Palmer Collective.
Today, Chef Moore continues to demonstrate a passion for cooking and a commitment to excellence at Cafe Commerce. His contributions to the New York City culinary scene have been invaluable, and he looks forward to serving you.
For recipes, press coverage and Moore visit Harold’s website, chefmoore.com
CHARLES POUCHOT
Managing Partner
Seasoned operator at the highest levels of hospitality with multiple award winning restaurants in the United States & his homeland, France. Recipient of the distinctive Trophée Jacquart for “Best Chef de Rang of France,” he has partnered with the likes of Daniel Boulud and Charlie Palmer, and helped earn multiple Michelin stars for his restaurants, including two at La Chèvre d’Or.
Charles is originally from the Haute Savoie region of France, which borders Switzerland and Italy, very close to Mont Blanc. He began his career in the restaurant business while in high school working at local bistros in the mountain ski resorts of Megeve, Flaine, and Les Saisies. It was a very natural fit and when he graduated, Charles continued his education the Formation Hotelière, CFTH in Chambery, France. The diploma he earned there was followed by further certification from the Lycée Hotelier in Nice, France.
Several years working for Michelin star “La Voile d’Or” in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and two star La Chèvre d’Or in Eze Village followed and eventually he was promoted to Assistant Maitre d’Hotel as well as winning the distinctive Trophée Jacquart for “Best Chef de Rang of France.”
In the late 90s Charles moved to Orlando, Florida to work for Paul Bocuse, Roger Verge and Gaston Lenotre at the French Pavillon in Epcot Center. Soon after, he was recruited to work for Daniel Boulud in New York City where he stayed for ten years rising through the ranks to the position of Assistant Director of Operations. In 2007, Charles then left to work for Charlie Palmer overseeing the grand reopening of Aureole, the flagship restaurant of the company. First East Director of Operations overseeing eleven restaurants, Charles was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer for the entire collective of eighteen restaurants.
Charles and his wife Janet live with their two sons on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
PATRICK CORBETT
Partner
Patrick Corbett is a serial entrepreneur operating at the intersection of media, technology, and human connection, with over a decade of experience building, scaling, and successfully exiting ventures.
Born and raised on the Upper East Side, Patrick’s early love for New York’s food culture led him to a role at the acclaimed West Village Commerce, where he first met Chef Harold Moore. There, the two began a friendship which would ultimately bring them to partner to bring Cafe Commerce to life.
Patrick’s life has always been driven by music. A classically trained vocalist from a young age, he has performed on some of New York’s most iconic stages - Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City - and shared the spotlight with celebrated artists like Celine Dion, Jimmy Cliff, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Over the course of his career, he has held key positions in the music industry, including time at Universal, EMI, and several indie labels, where he brought emerging technology to bear for world-renowned artists such as Bob Dylan, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, The Roots, Sheryl Crow & Willie Nelson. As a tech executive, Patrick has led the delivery of innovative digital products and cutting-edge solutions for global brands like Bose, Ford, NFL, Samsung, SiriusXM/Pandora, Spotify and more.
A versatile builder across product, operations, and strategy, Patrick thrives on turning creative ideas into impactful experiences that resonate, scale, and endure.
We are always interested in meeting eager front and back of house professionals. If you are interested in joining our team, please send a brief cover letter and resume and we will be in touch.
ARTWORK
Saint Sebastian & the Hunt for the Sisters: Drowning in the Rivers
Located directly across from 50 Commerce Street, the original location of Commerce restaurant, the shared garden tucked between 39 and 41 Commerce Street long fascinated locals, thanks to neighborhood legend. In 1832 a sea captain built identical houses for his twin daughters, hoping a shared garden would mend their fierce and enduring rivalry. The houses are famously known as the ‘Two Sisters.’ In building Commerce, Chef Harold Moore & Restauranteur Tony Zazula wanted to foster a new artistic legacy, drawing from West Village lore. Enter David Joel, a Manhattan-born artist, who was commissioned to create a series of new works celebrating the rich tradition of this story.
Commerce: Common Ground for the Sisters' Story (2008) is a piece of three works in oil & gold leaf. Joel depicts the sisters, Adel in blue and Kate in red, in portrait, hanging on opposite walls, nearly identical but resolutely individual. In the centerpiece, 18’x4’, we see them meeting in the shared garden, a festive scene depicted in warm, rich reds and earth tones, accented by fertile ribbons of green. This hopeful resolution was imagined by Joel after hearing less cheerful versions of the tale, including a variant where the sisters killed each other.
Joel’s fourth and final piece, Saint Sebastian & the Hunt for the Sisters: Drowning in the Rivers, (2012) presents a darker interpretation. Here Joel introduces Saint Sebastian, a 3rd century Christian martyr, depicted, as he most often is, riddled with arrows. Rich with symbolism, mystery and throbbing with violent energy, we see intoxicating grapes, a tray of spilled oysters and a hunting list with “Father” crossed out, all hinting at the tumultuous themes in the sister’s story. Kate & Adel are still featured in the tableau, where Joel’s palette favors silvery tones of green and blue. According to the myth, Saint Sebastian will be saved, tended to by Saint Irene. We cannot be so sure of the sisters.
David Joel has his studio in Sag Harbor, NY and is a regular diner at Cafe Commerce. Learn more about David on his website.