First Taste: Inside David Chang's Momofuku Nishi

4:45 PM: We are the first online. Huge accomplishment. Feeling proud. 5:00 PM: Watch pre-service staff meeting, cheering alongside (and taking snaps) as they amp up for the second night of service. 5:01 PM: Chug water. 5:05 PM: David Chang runs by and is looking stressed. He’s in the zone but still waves hello. 5:15 PM: Solid line. We discover a picture of the menu on Instagram and start planning our meal - which isn’t hard because we immediately decide we’re ordering almost the whole menu. 5:20 PM: People start asking us what we’re waiting for. We’re offended that they don’t know, but proudly recite the facts of the Momofuku empire. 5:30 PM: Line is around the block, looking at 50+ people including our favorite food family @foodbabyny. 5:35 PM: Snapchat the line, great opportunity to play around with the fast forward video feature. Major key. 5:45 PM: At this point at least 15 people have asked us what the line is for. We are officially David Chang’s publicists. 6:00 PM: Right at 6 PM, the doors open and the hostess walks us inside, seating us at one of the first communal tables. #Winning Tip: The Momofuku people are good people. Instead of making us wait in the cold, they were taking names and calling guests as tables were ready. Good move. [Photo via @jprevite]