Since its opening in 2009, Casa Lever has been one of the city’s best spots to enjoy top-notch Italian food and play Mad Men (the restaurant is located on the ground floor of delightfully retro skyscraper Lever House). Now, chef Alessandro Caporale has upped the ante with Casa Lever Gardens, a new dining concept just outside the restaurant, which opened last week.
Serving up lunch, dinner, and a light all-day bar menu, Casa Lever Gardens sits nestled on Park Avenue, an ideal place for people watching: here, a young couple in love and matching designer duds, there, a group of businessmen in perfectly tailored suits. Diners are surrounded by the art of the Lever House Art Collection, a major collection featuring works by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, and other big names in the art world. It’s the perfect place to take a date with an appreciation for aesthetics.
Or just bring someone who loves food – there’s plenty of it on offer here. Caporale’s menu focuses on Milanese fare. Small bites focus on the fried: think fried calamari and fried Ascolana olives stuffed with fontina. At lunch or dinner, however, more substantial dishes are available, from the ultra-traditional (vitello tonnato rich with caper sauce) to the more inventive (squid ink tagolini with cockles and romesco cauliflower). A full selection of cocktails, wine, and (duh) Champagne is available.
Casa Lever Restaurant
390 Park Avenue # B
New York, NY 10022-4608
(212) 888-2700
www.casalever.com
