The Summer Seat by Amex® Gold & Resy Brings Acclaimed Local Art to the Table
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Amex Gold Card Members receive exclusive early access to the art-driven series at participating Resy restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago
Today, American Express and Resy are introducing The Summer Seat by Amex® Gold & Resy, a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience that brings together coveted restaurants with local artists. To celebrate the American Express® Gold Card 60th anniversary, Gold Card Members get exclusive early access to reservations on the Resy app and Resy.com, as well as special dishes, complimentary bites and beverages, custom gifts, and more.
This July and August, Lasita (Los Angeles), Bonnie’s (New York), and Mi Tocaya (Chicago) will transform their outdoor spaces with installations by multimedia artists. Each restaurant was paired with a local artist of their choosing whose work reflects the spirit of its neighborhood, while the chef created a special menu item to accompany the experience. Together, the installations and menus invite diners and Card Members to experience each restaurant in a new way.
“A great meal can stay with you long after the night is over. By pairing incredible restaurants with local artists, The Summer Seat creates dining experiences that feel special and distinctly local for our Gold Card Members,” said Lisa Kalhans, Executive Vice President of U.S. Consumer Products at American Express.
“Lasita, Bonnie’s, and Mi Tocaya are all mainstays of their local neighborhoods, and we’re looking forward to seeing their creative expression extend beyond the dish through collaborations with the artists to create an experience diners won’t find anywhere else,” said Hannah Kelly, Resy Chief Marketing Officer.
THE LINEUP
Lasita, Los Angeles – July 22-25: Drawing from both Lasita’s Filipino roots and muralist Abel Macias’s Mexican heritage, Macias will design and paint vibrant murals on the garden windows evoking the bold and colorful patterns he’s known for. Guests will be able to dine under hand-painted paper lanterns that trail from the restaurant to the garden. The garden will also be refreshed with plants drawing from both cultures like calamansi trees, ponytail palms, and agave.
“I’m inspired by Lasita’s brilliant mix of cultures and Chinatown setting and how these cultures cross paths,” said artist Abel Macias. “I’m excited to celebrate this intersection by incorporating the Philippines’ tropical lush landscapes imagined through waterfalls and the many vibrant colorful patterns.”
Bonnie’s, New York – July 30-August 2: Bonnie’s, known for its modern reinterpretations of Cantonese American fare, is partnering with Australian Chinese artist Leon Zhan. Zhan, whose work bridges contemporary culture and ancient Chinese tradition, will reimagine Bonnie’s backyard space into a peaceful bamboo garden inspired by Chef Calvin Eng’s childhood home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Zhan’s elegant custom ceramic vases paying homage to New York sports teams will be centerpieces in the garden.
“I was thrilled when Resy reached out with the opportunity to elevate our diners’ experience through this artist collaboration,” said Bonnie’s Chef-Owner Calvin Eng. “Leon Zhan’s beautiful vases perfectly represent everything we do at Bonnie’s: Cantonese roots influenced by American culture.”
Mi Tocaya, Chicago – August 13-16: Artist Ben Giska will draw inspiration from Xochipilli (“The Flower Prince”), an Aztec deity linked to flowers, music, and artistic expression, to create a flora-filled multimedia experience evoking Mi Tocaya’s reverence for Mexican heritage with a modernist sensibility. Giska will envelope the patio with a myriad of flowers, and a floral fence with climbing vine flowers will surround the patio. Guests will dine under a digital floral light show while a DJ plays tunes from a Xochipilli statue-shaped booth.
Exclusive early booking access to reservations for Gold Card Members begins today, July 7, at 11:00 a.m. local time. An eligible American Express® Gold Card must be added and linked to a Resy user’s profile to access these reservations. Reservations are limited, for outdoor seating only, vary by restaurant, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and how to reserve a space, visit resy.com/the-summer-seat. Terms apply.
ABOUT RESY
Resy is a digital dining platform that powers restaurants around the world and provides reservation booking for passionate diners. With the powerful backing of American Express, Resy has created best-in-class software that elevates dining experiences and connects restaurants to a vast network of highly engaged diners. Resy is a destination for restaurant discovery, exclusive access, original content, and chef-driven culinary events. The amazing world of restaurants is just a few taps away in the Resy app and at Resy.com.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world back our customers with differentiated products, services, and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, American Express’ brand is built on trust, security, and service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. With over a hundred million merchant locations across our global network, we seek to provide the world’s best customer experience every day to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations. For more information about American Express, visit americanexpress.com, americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/ and ir.americanexpress.com.
