The Astor is now open inside The Public Theater at Astor Place. The restaurant combines classic New York dining influences with elements of The Public Theater. It aims to elevate the theater experience for visitors.
The Astor Opens Inside The Public Theater
The Astor is a new restaurant that opened in New York’s NoHo neighborhood on September 15. The restaurant is located inside The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street near Astor Place. It replaces the theater’s former restaurant, The Library.
According to an Eater New York report, the new restaurant is a collaboration between the team behind Joe’s Pub, NoHo Hospitality Group, and The Public Theater. The team includes Serge Becker, Josh Pickard, Paul Salmon, Kevin Abbott, Luke Ostrom, and Andrew Carmellini, with Jersey Katz and Michelle Cunha serving as the managing partners.
The Astor is designed as an extension of the theater-going experience. It offers a place where people can eat or have drinks before or after a performance. According to Eater New York, the building can see more than 1,000 people on a busy night.
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What Diners Can Expect at The Astor
The interior of The Astor was designed to evoke an old-fashioned New York tavern or supper club. It features elements like wood paneling, red banquettes, and white tablecloths. It also features vintage photographs, theater posters and playbills, letters and other Public Theater memorabilia, and a mural by artist André Carrilho.
The Astor seats 70 guests in the dining room, 20 at the bar, 12 in the lounge, and 52 on the mezzanine overlooking the theater’s lobby.
Chef Angel Monge leads the kitchen alongside chef and partner Andrew Carmellini. The food is inspired by what they describe as the “golden age” of New York dining. It includes chips and dip, “Devilish” eggs, clams casino, steak Diane, pigs in Wellington with bourbon mustard, and French mushroom dip with au jus.
The cocktail program focuses on classic New York cocktails. It includes a section called “From the Ice Box,” featuring cold versions of drinks such as martinis, Manhattans, and Bijous.
