EMPLOYEES ONLY
About halfway through Fashion Week, I began to notice a certain thing that was once considered the height of fashion reemerging into popular view. No, I'm not talking about the return of tie dye. At a quite a few after parties and receptions, there was a new shape looming over the bar: the absinthe fountain.
The historical mystique surrounding the drink, its odd ritual preparation, and the chemistry-set-like assortment of associated paraphernalia made the sometimes green liquor a favorite subject of conversation among Fashion Week attendees. Black clad fashionistas chatted casually about green fairy this and wormwood that, while downing cup after cup of the stuff. By the end of the week, more savvy consumers were ordering a truly bizarre array of absinthe cocktails with names like Fire Fairy, White Christmas, and Green Tear. From what I could judge, no mixer was quite up to the task of fully masking the drink's trademark (read: love it or hate it) taste of cloves, licorice, and anise, but I have to say the absinthe Caprihina I tried was quite tasty.
Over the weekend, nightlife entrepreneur Matt Abramcyk (The Beatrice Inn, Employees Only) opened a sports tavern called Warren 77- located, believe it or not, on 77 Warren Street. Matt’s partner in this venture is none other than NY Rangers winger Sean Avery, who has the distinction of being the first NHL player to be a guest editor at Vogue.* Those wishing to see if Sean’s superior fashion sense is evident in the bar’s décor will have to check the place out for themselves, which shouldn’t be too difficult since Matt Abramcyk has stated that Warren 77 is meant to be neighborhood place, not an über-exclusive hipster den (not Abramcyk’s words) like The Beatrice Inn. Weekend guests included Josh Hartnett and John McEnroe who were just in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. Beers on tap include Guinness, Hoegaarden and Old Speckled Hen. Lunch and brunch menus are coming soon.
* A fact which presumably makes talking-trash rather easy for Mr. Avery’s opponents in the rink. “Hey Seany. I love it when you do your little thing on the catwalk . . .”
Macao Trading Co.
311 Church Street
(between Lispenard and Walker Street)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 431-8750
Church St. has a new delicious addition to it: the Macao Trading Co. The much anticipated venture, headed by the team behind Employees Only and Chanterelle’s David Waltruck, features an 82-seat dining room complete with a catwalk and antique décor. Finding its niche among European, Asian and Portuguese cuisine, the menu promises a unique experience for every palate.
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