Monday night was the first official dinner service at Charlie Palmer’s much-anticipated, relocated and rejuvenated Aureole in 42nd Street’s Bank of America Tower. The new space is set up to serve a cross-section of patrons: the casual front bar room features an à la carte menu, while the more subdued back room sports tablecloths, a “jacket preferred” vibe and an $84 three-course prix fixe menu. You can get a tour of the space – and watch executive chef Christopher Lee prepare a pork chop dish – in the video above; meanwhile, here are some first-night impressions of this new addition to the Theater District dining scene:
The Food: Palmer’s signature “progressive American” fare, executed by Lee.
The Design: Glassy, classy, modern, with swirling, recessed chandeliers; a zinc bar; tables in an alfresco breezeway; and large windows looking out to 42nd Street.
Sample Dishes: Diver sea scallop sandwiched between thin-sliced brioche crisps, garnished with foie gras ($22 at bar, also available on the prix fixe menu); "Canadian lobster tail vs. Berkshire pork belly" with squash, porcini mushroom, gooseberries, Jura wine and almond emulsion (prix fixe).
Sample Dessert: Milk chocolate pudding pie with honeyed apricot, black and white sesame (prix fixe).
Sample Drinks: The Basil 24 (Beefeater 24 gin, sweet basil, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, $14). An astounding 15,000-bottle wine list with more than 100 selections under $100.
The Crowd: Post-work banker types; upscale tourist walk-ins; neighboring Condé-Nasters; theatergoers; regulars from Aureole’s former space on 61st Street.
The Tunes: Muted, Euro-style ambient in the bar room; even more subtle elegant jazz in the dining room.
Great Gimmick: The e-wine list, which lets oenophiles browse a tabletlike device to order.
Great Deal: All menus are 15% off until September 15.
The Deets: One Bryant Park (135 W. 42nd St.), 212-319-1660.
–Kathleen Squires