Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall (All You Have To Do is Call)
The former incarnation of this restaurant was where you’d go to Easter brunch with your parents. The food was delicious, the space was pretty, but it was oh-so-uptown. The new space on Park Avenue South and 26th Street has a younger, edgier vibe to it, with décor elements that seem like they could have come straight from the first floor of ABC Carpet & Home. A large stuffed bird sits behind the bar. He seems to say, “Let’s get funky!”
The food, which changes seasonally, is sensational. We don’t know what you’ll be able to get when you’re there, because the menu changes based on daily grocery trips by the chef. But after trying a few dishes – Everything Crusted Branzino (with the trappings of an everything bagel), Avocado & Eggs Benedict, and some sort of Salmon Wasabi Pasta that we’d love to see in one of those Olive Garden never-ending portions – we’d be willing to bet that anything coming out of that kitchen is going to be major.
What is likely to be there, whatever season you go, is the Make Your Own Bellini Bar, which made us feel like we could get in on the spirit of flavor innovation. Our flavor options were Blood Orange, Truffle Pearls, Winter Citruscello (What is that, even?! It sounds so delicious!), Grapefruit Cinnamon, and Honey Apple. Along with the bellinis, we tried a “Loose Cannon,” a green tequila drink with jalapeño ice cubes that made us dream of warmer days. We also had a bloody mary. And some prosecco. For research!
The large, open space makes Park Avenue Winter (or Spring, Summer, or Autumn) an ideal place for large groups or parties. Private rooms each have their own vibe and can be cordoned off from the larger space. This is the kind of place that could make a baby shower actually seem fun. That, and those bellinis.
What we loved most about Park Avenue Winter, which we visited on a snowy Sunday, was how it felt special without being stuffy. So, while we might still bring our parents here for Easter brunch, we might also get together a group of our best buds and make everyone order something different, so we can taste every damn thing on the menu.