Alan Rosen: Cheesecake slinger to politician?

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Alan Rosen, the third-generation owner of NYC’s iconic Junior’s Restaurant, has recently stirred the pot with a tell-all interview in the Post. While Rosen seems to be carefully crafting a public image that leans Republican, his comments seem carefully calibrated to avoid alienating potential voters on either side of the aisle. This calculated neutrality, however, comes across as inauthentic, leaving many to wonder: what exactly does Rosen stand for, besides profit margins? The dissonance between his political views and his business practices is raising eyebrows.

Rosen, a Westchester resident, is outspoken about wanting to improve safety in NYC – and understandably that would be his goal as a restaurant owner with locations frequented by tourists and locals alike. However, some find it ironic that he advocates for a safer city while profiting from a menu overflowing with, shall we say, less-than-health-conscious fare.

Adding another layer to the “cake batter”, Rosen, who appears to no longer indulge in the very food that made his family wealthy, seams to be ordering salad off of the menu rather than a sugar syruped strawberry cheesecake slice.  The once-overweight restauranteur appears to have adopted a healthier lifestyle. This begs the question: if it’s not good enough for the owner, is it good enough for the customers, many of whom rely on Junior’s for a taste of New York nostalgia?

Rosen’s interview paints a picture reminiscent of Michael Prince from Billions – a wealthy businessman with political aspirations. But unlike Prince, there’s no scandal attached to Rosen (yet). However, some might find it curious that the “New York-style” cheesecake is actually baked in a massive facility…in New Jersey.

Is Rosen’s interview a genuine attempt to connect with New Yorkers or a soft launch for a political career? One thing’s for sure: Rosen wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants to be a concerned citizen, a businessman slinging comfort food, and perhaps, a politician. But New Yorkers are a discerning bunch, and they might have a hard time swallowing this whole slice.

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