See the classic architecture of New York City from the inside.
New York City is home to many historically significant buildings and incredible works of architecture. Many of the older and more ornate buildings in the city boast high vaulted ceilings that give a feeling of space and airiness in an otherwise crowded place. Grand Central Station's interior sports vaulted ceilings that are 125 feet high with 60-foot high arched windows and Tennessee marble floors. The classic New York Public Library's Astor Hall features an abundance of white marble and 37-foot-high . Restaurants in New York City, both old and new, are increasingly moving into spaces with vaulted ceilings to give their customers a feeling of elegance and space.
Butter
Butter made its debut on New York's culinary scene in 2002. The restaurant's design is sleek and modern with nods to Mother Nature throughout. The Great Room is located on the main floor of the restaurant and offers a sophisticated dining environment. The expansive vaulted ceiling carved in western red cedar frames a mural of a birch forest at the far end of the room. The Birch Room is situated on the lower level of the restaurant and offers a more casual dining environment in a space with a ski-chalet feel.
Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli uses organic, seasonal and sustainable seafood in her menu that offers dishes such as ceviche of Long Island fluke and butter-poached Maine lobster. A five-course tasting menu is available upon request. Butter serves lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner only on Saturday and they are closed on Sundays.
Butter
415 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-2828
butterrestaurant.com
Brasserie
Brasserie is located in the historic Seagram building and has been in operation there since 1959. The restaurant underwent a complete renovation in 1995 after the space was destroyed by fire. Designers Diller and Scofidio gave the restaurant a new, futuristic look utilizing many natural materials. The focal point in the main dining is now a tiered, pearwood vaulted ceiling. Since the restaurant has no windows, Diller & Scofidio incorporated unique lighting, a 48-foot glass wall and a bank of 15 monitors displaying video snapshots of entering diners.
Although lamb, poultry and beef are available on the menu, Executive Chef Luc Dimnet highlights seafood in the appetizers, entrees and chef selections. In addition to a raw bar serving up fresh oysters, clams and shrimp, dishes such as grilled Scottish salmon with royal trumpet mushrooms and sea scallops with morels, cippolini onions and a champagne beurre blanc are offered. The dessert menu reflects the chef's French heritage, offering up several brasserie cheese plates and chocolate beignets. Reservations are suggested at this upscale eatery, which serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, brunch on the weekends and dinner 7 nights per week.
Brasserie
100 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 751-4840
patinagroup.com
Matsuri
Chef and owner Tadashi Ono opened Japanese restaurant Matsuri in 2003 after having already had success with his fine dining restaurant Sono. Matsuri's main dining room is on the lower level, keeping any noise from the ground-level bar at bay. The cavernous space is marked by barrel-vaulted ceilings from which giant white paper lanterns are hung. Matsuri is the only restaurant in New York City with a sake sommelier; hundreds of bottles of sake line shelves above the sushi bar, providing a focal point in the large space.
The menu has an extensive variety of sushi, sashimi, cut rolls and hand rolls. "Small plate" main dishes include calamari tempura, tuna yamaimo and kobe tartare. "Large plate" entrees include grilled black cod marinated in sake paste and whole lobster saut ed with yuzu butter sauce. The dessert menu hosts an impressive collection of brandy, cognac and bourbon and offers up treats such as yuzu cheesecake and kabocha pumpkin pie. Reservations are suggested. Matsuri is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.
Matsuri
369 W. 16th Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 243-6400
matsurinyc.com
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