The highly anticipated Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City has thrown the doors open to Café Carmellini, a classic Manhattan brasserie helmed by the much-loved chef Andrew Carmellini. Installed within a contemporary Gilded Age interior designed by Martin Brudnizki, the restaurant faithfully upholds the historic grandeur of the hotel, itself a landmark having previously been the mansion and carriage house of Ms. Charlotte Goodridge, a society fixture from the Gilded Age.
Like the rest of the building, which was originally designed as a five-storey palazzo by the iconic McKim, Mead & White, Café Carmellini exudes old-world elegance. Double-height ceilings, two sculptural trees and balcony seating hark back to an era when Carmellini’s own grandfather, an immigrant and coffee import business owner from Tuscany, first stepped foot on American shores. This personal connection for Carmellini runs especially deep in this venture, not only through paying homage to his family history but by looking back at his culinary mentors as well.
A view from the balcony
Café Carmellini is chef Andrew Carmellini's love letter to New York City
‘Café Carmellini is New York at heart and Italian and French in spirit. My career began in fine dining at era-defining restaurants in New York City,’ says Carmellini, whose other ventures such as The Dutch, Locanda Verde, Lafayette and Bar Primi are city stalwarts. ‘After focusing successfully on more casual dining for 15 years, I felt a calling to return to fine dining. Café Carmellini is the most personal restaurant of my career and the sum total of everything I am passionate about. Nestled in a magnificent and historic New York landmark, Café Carmellini is my love letter to New York City. I want it to become a destination for New Yorkers and visitors to the city to feel transported, celebrated and warmly welcomed.’
Chef Andrew Carmellini
Armed with a menu filled with new, yet familiar classics such as lobster cannelloni, a red snapper meunière carpaccio, scallops Cardoz – a tribute to chef Floyd Cardoz, whom Carmellini worked with in the 1990s, and a risotto del giorno that simply celebrates great cooking, Café Carmellini effortlessly captures the essence of New York City – an uncomplicated desire to simply enjoy the best.
Squab en croute
Duck tortellini
-
This David Lynch auction offers a rare glimpse into the late filmmaker's lifeFrom movie memorabilia to everyday items, the sale – taking place in Los Angeles 18 June – is one not to miss
-
Inside Loewe’s high-shine pop-up at Harrods, marking 10 colourful years of the Puzzle bagLoewe’s best-known handbag celebrates turning ten with a jewel box-like pop-up and eclectic array of reissues at London’s Harrods (plus, a spotted Loewe coffee van)
-
Lucifer Lighting's fixtures are designed to ‘define and disappear’‘The best lighting is the kind that no one notices,’ says Gilbert Mathews, founder of the Texas-based lighting company. Here, he speaks to Wallpaper* on its latest fixture Stellaris after its debut at Milan Design Week
-
The best bars in New York for stiff drinks and stunning designFrom five-star hotel lobby bars on the Upper East Side to discreet downtown drinking dens, these are the best spots to sip and soak in the ambiance
-
At this secret NYC hangout, the drinks are strong and the vibes are strongerFor People's bar, Workstead serves up a good time
-
Visit this Michelin-star New York restaurant that doubles as an art galleryArtist Mr.StarCity is exhibiting his emotionally charged yet optimistic ‘Bloomers’ portrait series at Frevo, a Greenwich Village hidden haunt
-
Tour the best contemporary tea houses around the worldCelebrate the world’s most unique tea houses, from Melbourne to Stockholm, with a new book by Wallpaper’s Léa Teuscher
-
This atmospheric New York restaurant was designed to be a ‘beautiful ruin’At Leon’s, classic Italian fare comes with a North African accent and with a side of family history
-
Printemps' New York outpost blooms with possibility – and enchanting designThanks to designer Laura Gonzalez, this new retail mecca blooms colour, atmosphere and narrative
-
New York’s only revolving restaurant is back in actionLocated inside the New York Marriott Marquis, The View Restaurant and Lounge reopens following a 360 refresh courtesy of The Rockwell Group
-
An Upper East Side townhouse is transformed into a chic French bistroAt Chez Fifi, Sweden’s Joyn Studio has created an elevated setting that transports diners to 1930s Paris
