Unsurprisingly, Wayan’s One-Year Anniversary Party Got Wild on a Monday

Dining at French-Indonesian-fusion restaurant Wayan is a vibrant, sensory experience. So, naturally, partying at Wayan delivers the same dose of fun—a wild yet elegant night out you didn’t know you needed, especially on a Monday.

And that’s exactly what co-owner Ezra William envisioned for Wayan’s one-year anniversary celebration last night with fellow co-owners Cedric and Ochi Vongerichten and friends, fans, and fashion folk alike.

“When people come to the restaurant, I want them to feel like they are walking into a warm, tropical place—a little getaway from New York’s harsh winter!” William mused.

Guests including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Philippe Vongerichten, Laura Kim, Fernando Garcia, Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung, Roopal Patel, Alex Assouline, and Timo Weiland all congratulated the Wayan trio on a triumphant first year, one that involved a spot on Esquire’s 2019 Best New Restaurants in America and a two-star critic review from the New York Times. To celebrate the achievements, guests toasted with the specialty craft cocktail of the evening named “Yas Queen,” made with a refreshing splash of Casa Dragones tequila and hints of grapefruit and elderflower.

Rhythmic drums combined with modern techno beats by DJ Matthew Mazur, who summoned guests past the luminous built-in garden and bustling open kitchen to the dining room turned dance floor for a special performance by Beaujangless. All the while, Wayan classics like sizzling satay skewers, mushroom spring rolls, and, of course, crab- and caviar-topped tapioca chips mazed through the lively crowd.

A jet-setter with a finger on the pulse of this city, William knew exactly how to build a restaurant that lets people get lost in tropical fantasy for the evening. “I am passionate about fashion and hospitality, and am obsessed with New York, so I wanted to bring a piece of my culture to this city by creating a niche environment,” explained William.

Though he intended to create a hidden Balinese haven in heart of downtown Manhattan, by the looks of last night’s soirée, the secret is most definitely out!