The Public Theater is a New York City institution. Best known as a breeding ground for musical theater phenomena like Hamilton and A Chorus Line, as well as groundbreaking plays like The Normal Heart and TopDog/UnderDog, Joe’s Pub also offers musicians, cabaret performers, and solo performers a place to shine in its inner sanctum. But the one thing it has sadly been lacking? A swanky place to indulge in drinks and dinner. Thankfully, The Astor is no longer waiting in the wings. This brand-new upscale tavern opened earlier this week and took over the second-floor space at 425 Lafayette St., previously known as The Library at the Public.
A bastion of old-school glamour, the reinvented space has been kitted out in red velvet banquettes, white tablecloths and moody lighting. But following in the footsteps of the West Village’s Wild Cherry, another on-trend restaurant and lounge found inside the historic Cherry Lane Theater (and one which is now nearly impossible to reserve), you don’t need to have tickets to nab a reservation.
It should be no surprise that when The Public decided to make the change from its more casual spot to a destination restaurant, it went all in, partnering further with NoHo Hospitality Group (which also runs food and drinks at Joe’s Pub) to put Andrew Carmellini alongside Angel Monge in the kitchen. The dining room is a good size, but there is also a mezzanine lounge area overlooking the lobby. Both areas serve the full menu, though the mezzanine will certainly offer better people watching.
But it’s the bar area that’s the real zinger here, with seats for 20 and a stunning mural by Andre Carrilho, known for his superb editorial satire, commissioned specifically for The Astor. Take a seat, order a drink, and you can spend time identifying the 32 writers and theater provocateurs depicted in the picture. Not to be (completely) outdone, the rest of the space is also filled with living reminders of The Public’s history, displaying an array of photos, awards, letters, drawings, and general artifacts to peruse at your leisure.
As for the menu? It ain’t cheap. But it’s the kind of lavish supper club vibe you’d expect from Carmellini and his team. Cocktails veer from time-honored to whimsical, and everything in between. I’m looking forward to sampling the House Martini, which builds on the Vesper, combining gin and olive vodka, along with a splash of bittersweet Cocchi and a dash of Elixir Vegetal. The Plum Reviver also caught my eye, a savory Japanese-forward smash-up of gin, marigold, salted cucumber, and Umeshu. For a small bite, you can also pair your drinks with a snack, like the Devilish Eggs with sweet drop peppers and/or carved ham with cheesy popovers and crab apple butter.
Interested in a full meal? Think playful classics like the Pigs in Wellington app (nothing makes me happier than a fancy frank in pastry), Steak Diane, a French mushroom dip for the vegetarians in the house, and a hot buttered lobster roll.
Whether The Astor will climb to Wild Cherry heights is anyone’s guess, but if I were you, I’d make that reservation now. I know I will. And anyone is welcome to join me at the bar to start cracking the names in that mural. You get them all; the next one’s on me.
