Day One: Il Cantinori Owners Open New American Spot Uptown, The Bar Room

Steve Tzolis and Nicola Kotsoni mastered Tuscan cuisine at Il Cantinori and Greek at Peryali, then made a success of the American pub with Bar Six in the Village. Now they’ve taken that concept to the next level: drinks are poured at the 1889 mahogany bar that sat in Harvey’s Chelsea for years, and 24 beers are on tap. A black and white checkerboard floor mirroring the original at Harvey’s, dark green leather banquettes and period lighting fixtures make the new restaurant feel like a survivor, while a whimsical bucolic mural and skylight ceiling brighten the back room.

The Food: An American menu is still expanding, but the limited version includes such appetizers as an inspired kale salad with red quinoa, almonds and cheddar ($12); roasted beets with whipped goat cheese, pistachio, grapefruit, orange and watercress ($14); and chicken liver toast with bacon, hazelnut and sweet onion jam ($10). Gently priced larger offerings run the gamut from a burger with clothbound cheddar, sliced pickles and melted onions ($14), to organic chicken with sweet potato, corn and bacon hash, arugula and parmesan ($19); to wild salmon with creamed spinach, crispy shallots and herb salad ($23) to bar steak with whole roasted spring vegetables and chimichurri ($22).


The Cocktails: Check out the Sparkling Fig - a twist on the old French 75, with fig-infused vodka, prosecco and fresh lemon juice; The Paloma Twist - reposado tequila with Cointreau, fresh grapefruit juice, lime soda in a salt rimmed glass; and The Bramble with gin, fresh lemon, muddled blackberries and thyme infused simple syrup – each $12.

Desserts: Housemade chocolate chip cookies are served with milk ($6); panna cotta is made with Greek yogurt and served with seasonal berries ($10).

Music: An eclectic mix of everything from Johnny Cash to Fela Kuti.

The Crowd: The post-work set sidles up to the bar along with preppy East Siders and the team’s Downtown following.

The Details: 117 E. 60th St./Lexington Ave.; 212.561.5523