The Champagne & Caviar Bar at RH Guesthouse.
Photo: Courtesy of RH
Discover 5 of New York City’s Most Beautiful New Restaurants
From Rockwell Group’s design of Marcus Samuelsson’s latest restaurant to the Fifth Avenue Hotel’s vibrant eatery Café Carmellini
As the end of the year quickly approaches and holiday parties are in a flurry, there is no better time to book those dining reservations. Whether it’s New Yorkers looking to cross a restaurant off their list or visitors seeking a chic new hot spot to celebrate their vacation, Galerie has rounded up five of the most stunning new restaurants in the city that masterfully blend design with elevated fare.
The Champagne & Caviar Bar at RH Guesthouse. Photo: Courtesy of RH
Crispy latkes or potato skins with crème fraîche and chives, or pommes purée, topped with Petrossian Imperial Kaluga Caviar. Photo: Courtesy of RH
1. The Champagne & Caviar Bar at RH Guesthouse
For those seeking a sexy late night bite or nightcap, RH Guesthouse has just unveiled one of the most stunning new hot spots in the city. Their Champagne & Caviar Bar is an intimate 32-seat lounge offering guests the finest caviar and champagne, alongside carefully a curated selection of cocktails and desserts. Located below the property, guests enter the space by walking down a floor-to-ceiling European white oak staircase before being welcomed by iridescent champagne -acquered walls, handblown amber glass ceiling, and marble-mosaic floors. For seating, banquettes of camel mohair velvet and Italian Calacatta gold marble tables bring even more elegance to the dining experience.
To complement the space’s design, an assortment of dishes, personally overseen by RH Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Gary Friedman, include inventive takes on the upscale food such as crispy latkes topped with crème fraîche, chives, and Petrossian Imperial Kaluga Caviar; brioche rolls filled with either king crab, Maine lobster, or caviar and crème fraîche; and classic cornets filled with toro or salmon and topped with Petrossian Imperial Kaluga Caviar. Make sure to stay for dessert, which includes a simple selection of grapefruit granita, fresh strawberries with chantilly cream, and American birthday cake.
Short rib dish. Photo: Andy Thomas Lee
Interiors of Metropolis. Photo: Adrian Gaut
2. Metropolis
Located inside Lower Manhattan’s Perelman Performing Arts Center, acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant Metropolis stands as a both contemporary American restaurant and love letter to New York City. Designed by David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, this expansive eatery boasts a 135-seat main dining room and 16-seat private dining room, which the design studio outfitted with sapele wood ribbons across the ceiling and rich burgundy furnishings. Past the sleek bar area, guests can also enjoy their meal al fresco on the 70-seat seasonal terrace.
For the menu, conceived by Samuelsson along with Executive Chef Ed Tinoco, Chef de Cuisine Marcelo Malta Andrade and Pastry Chef Onika Ayana Brown, locally sourced seasonal ingredients help craft dishes including Aged Long Island Duck, rubbed with a 4-year mole, foie gras and peaches and Whole Grilled Dover Sole with pomme soufflé and braised leeks, served to share. A carefully curated cocktail menu with a focus on a contemporary twist on martinis complements the menu.
Café Carmellini. Photo: William Abranowicz
Kanpachi Aqua Pazza. Photo: Evan Sung
3. Café Carmellini
Opened alongside the lavish new Fifth Avenue Hotel, James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini’s new restaurant, Café Carmellini, blends high-design with a New York twist on French and Italian fare. Located inside the landmark building, designer and Galerie Creative Mind Martin Brudnizki honored the space’s original Neoclassical architecture by adding vibrant color accents of blue and yellow in the plush furnishings. In the center of the space, two large-scale sculptural trees join the hotel’s impressive art collection.
For the menu, Carmellini offers guests fine dining dishes ranging from raw and cured appetizers to grander meat-forward courses of Squab en Croute, Beef Tenderloin ‘Classico,’ and the Chicken ‘Gran Sasso’ for Two. At the end of the night, diners can select from the nearly ten dessert options or finishing with a nightcap from the restaurant’s carefully curated cocktail menu and wine list.
Wangbi. Photo: David Mitchell
Dish served at Wangbi. Photo: Courtesy of Wangbi
4. Wangbi
Adding to the scene in New York City’s bustling Koreatown, new Korean fine dining destination Wangbi is a moody enclave located underneath the city’s longstanding Seoul restaurant Antoya Korean. Designed by Desfa Group, the interiors are inspired by traditional Korean royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, where a miniature replica of the Geunjeongjeon throne hall is suspended mid-air. Near the entrance, traditional Korean clothing worn by royalty (also known as a hanbok) is hung on a backdrop of sleek wooden slats and illuminated by romantic ALTO lighting to bring a contemporary atmosphere to these famed relics.
For this elevated eatery, guests can expect a thoughtfully prepared tasting menu which includes creative takes on Korean cuisine, such as Woodae Galbi (bone in short rib with the option of adding caviar), Soojebi (handle pulled noodle with perilla seed), and Yukhoe (ribeye with truffle). Both wine and traditional soju pairings are also available to be served with each course.
Sartiano's. Photo: Teddy Wolff
Paccheri at Sartiano's. Photo: Teddy Wolff
5. Sartiano’s
Located beneath Soho’s chic Mercer Hotel, renowned lifestyle architect Scott Sartiano’s namesake restaurant Sartiano’s is the latest Italian hot spot to beckon locals and tourists alike. Resembling a modern-day speakeasy, Studio Sofield spearheaded the restaurant’s interiors. The brick surroundings are accented with Italian touches such as a Carrara marble bar and banquettes adorned in tasteful patterns.
Embodying classic Italian fare, the menu led by chef Alfred Portale consists of homemade pastas and breads such as Paccheri with short rib, Italian sausage and a side of homemade meatballs as well as standout dishes including Yellowfin Tuna Crudo topped with crispy farro, Sorrento lemon and basil and an exclusive Olive-Fed Wagyu Porterhouse.
Cover: The Champagne & Caviar Bar at RH Guesthouse.
Photo: Courtesy of RH
