About us

OUR PURPOSE

Our purpose is simple: make people happy — our team, our guests, and our community. With a passion for hospitality and exceeding expectations, we elevate people’s lives with a caring, supportive, and empowering environment. Every decision we make is guided by this purpose. We accomplish this together as one team by creating a culture where we are all empowered, supported, and valued. We listen to the feedback of our entire team and continue to work to make our restaurants the absolute best places to work.

Fork lifting cheesy baked macaroni from a cast iron skillet on a white plate with a folded napkin on the side.

Our Core Values

Smiling waiter wearing glasses and a black 'THE SMITH' t-shirt carrying plates with burgers, fries, and salad in a busy restaurant.

Our Team

Outdoor dining area of The Smith restaurant with people seated at tables on the sidewalk, framed by leafy tree branches.

Early ‘Til Late

Our Story

Corner Table Restaurants was founded in 2001. With the senior leadership of CEO and Founder Jeffrey Lefcourt,  Partner Michael Jacobs, and Executive Chef and VP of  Culinary Brian Ellis, Corner Table is one of the most respected restaurant groups in New York City. The Smith and Parla capture the DNA of Corner Table by creating experiences for our team and guests that touch people’s lives in a positive way.

The Smith, a casual and lively American brasserie, opened the doors of its first location in 2007 in the East Village of New York City. Fast forward, and The Smith has grown to operate six locations – four in Manhattan, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Chicago.

Parla, an all-day neighborhood spot for pizza and cocktails opened in 2023. Situated on the Upper West Side of New York City, the menu celebrates simple, quality ingredients and warm hospitality.

Core Values

be the maker

We are all empowered to make a difference

Wait for great

We never settle for the ordinary and relentlessly strive for excellence

Support our team

We are committed to a positive, supportive, and safe environment

Authenticity

Everything we do is from the heart; the food, drinks, and connections

Have fun

We enjoy making people feel good and are passionate about serving others

Say yes

We go above and beyond to exceed expectations and always try to find ways to say yes

The team

Jeffrey Lefcourt

Founder and CEO

Jeff grew up in New York and got his start in restaurants early, quickly falling for the pace, energy, and camaraderie of hospitality. Today, Jeff leads Corner Table as Founder and CEO, setting the tone for the group’s culture and guest experience with a hands-on approach that spans everything from recipes and hospitality to music and lighting, always with the goal of building one of the best restaurant groups in the world to work for.

Michael Jacobs

Partner

Michael joined Corner Table Restaurants in 2012 and focuses on the systems and infrastructure that keep the company running smoothly, from technology and finance to compliance and back-office operations. He plays a key role in building the structure that supports growth across the restaurants while helping teams operate efficiently behind the scenes.

Brian Ellis

VP of Culinary, Executive Chef

Brian discovered his passion for food and hospitality as a Culinary Arts student at Johnson & Wales University. He joined Corner Table in 2003 as the Executive Chef of The Smith's first location in the East Village, and has grown with the group ever since. Today, he leads culinary development across the company, creating seasonal dishes and thoughtful takes on classic comfort food while working closely with kitchen teams to bring menus to life.

Thaisis Conyers

Senior Director of Human Resources

Thaisis joined Corner Table in 2016 and leads Human Resources across the organization, overseeing the programs and systems that support its people. She serves as a champion of the culture that brings the company to life each day. Known for her genuine, caring approach, she focuses on building initiatives that help team members feel supported, engaged, and excited to come to work.

Jennifer Woodhull

Senior Director of Operations

Jennifer joined Corner Table in 2012 and helps lead front of house operations across the restaurants, focusing on developing and upholding our service standards, training, and the guest experience. She works closely with our management teams to ensure consistency while fostering an environment where all staff feel empowered, supported, and proud of the hospitality they deliver.

Chuck Schmier

Senior Corporate Chef

Chuck joined the company in 2012 and helps lead culinary operations across the restaurants, focusing on kitchen systems, high-volume execution, and team development. He works closely with the back of house teams to build processes that support efficiency and consistency, all while preserving our high standards for ingredients and execution.

Dana Balding

Director of Brand and Creative Design

Dana joined Corner Table in 2016 and oversees marketing, branding, and communications for the group. Driven by a passion for both hospitality and creativity, she leads creative direction, brand identity, and strategic initiatives that shape how guests experience the restaurants, always looking for thoughtful ways to evolve while staying true to what makes our restaurants feel familiar and welcoming.

Andrea Oran

Director of Finance and Business Planning

Andrea joined Corner Table in 2019 and leads financial planning and business development, overseeing performance analysis to drive profitability and informed decision-making. She focuses on identifying and executing growth opportunities while maintaining strong financial controls and supporting sustainable, long-term expansion across the company.

Josh Bidwell

Director of Operations

Josh joined Corner Table in 2006 and helps lead front of house operations across the restaurants, bringing a positive, team-first approach to everything he does. He works closely with teams to uphold service standards and create warm, memorable guest experiences, with a focus on consistency, energy, and genuine care.

Rebecca Smith

Director of Operations

Rebecca joined the Corner Table in 2011 and helps lead the front of house teams across the restaurants, bringing a supportive, team-focused approach to her work. She works closely with teams to uphold standards of excellence, empower staff to take great care of guests, and ensure consistency and strong leadership throughout the group.

Amando Auleley

Corporate Chef

Amando joined Corner Table in 2012 and helps lead the back of house teams across the restaurants, bringing a hands-on, supportive approach to training, coaching, and mentorship. He works closely with culinary teams to build strong foundations for long-term success, support high-volume operations, and ensure each kitchen delivers consistent quality.

Michael Kollarik

Culinary Development Chef

Michael joined Corner Table in 2016 and leads culinary development across all locations. With a focus on seasonal ingredients and integrated concepts, he works closely with teams to create inventive dishes and ensure consistent recipes, drawing inspiration from the cultural diversity of New York City and its local bounty.

Ken Larsen

Corporate Pastry Chef

Ken joined Corner Table in 2016 and leads pastry development across the restaurants, bringing creativity and precision to every dessert. He works closely with the culinary teams to ensure consistency and quality across all locations while mentoring pastry staff and inspiring excellence in the kitchen.

Molly Cohen

Corporate Beverage Director

Molly joined Corner Table in 2021 and oversees the beverage programs across all restaurants. She works closely with teams to develop curated beverage offerings, educate staff, and expand knowledge across cocktails, wine, and spirits. Molly ensures every beverage complements the dining experience while supporting consistency and excellence.

Jarad Bailey

Director of IT

Jarad joined Corner Table Restaurants in 2019 and leads the strategy, implementation, and support of all technology systems across Corner Table Restaurants. He works to ensure reliable, secure, and scalable technology infrastructure that enhances operations and improves the guest experience at every location.

Lisette Muniz

Director of Construction and Facilities

Lisette joined Corner Table in 2025 and oversees construction and facilities across all locations. She leads the planning, design, and build-out of new restaurants while managing renovations and capital improvement projects at existing locations. She also directs facilities maintenance operations, ensuring every restaurant is maintained to the highest standards.