The Flatiron District has recently seen the debut of Aqua New York, a new dining behemoth boasting a significant 24,000 square-foot space and proffering a unique two-menu approach with Italian and Japanese cuisine from separate kitchens. Aqua, not to be mistaken for a fusion establishment, allows diners to indulge in a range of Italian dishes like arancini and spicy chicken with chanterelles or switch to Japanese specialties like maki and “crystal sushi” from one of its two distinct menus.
With a capacity to house 432 visitors, Aqua lies strategically at 902 Broadway between East 20th and 21st streets, an area that has become a hotbed for culinary ventures such as the regional italian restaurant Massara and Indian hotspot Passerine; these recent additions to the corridor include Grand Brasserie at Grand Central Terminal, also featuring an extensive seating plan, as highlighted in a
New York Post
report. This new swank bistro is from the Aqua Restaurant Group, led by David Yeo, who already has a strong foothold in the dining scene with Hutong, his Northern Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong’s Midtown, and nearly 20 other international locations.
Architectural design has been a collaborative effort between Yeo and designer Robert Angell, taking inspiration from both Italian and Japanese traditions to create the striking setting of Aqua New York; the centerpiece is the controversially long 77-foot sushi bar, which is anticipated to soon serve an omakase menu. The restaurant’s aesthetics are further defined by the Aqua Spirit bar, surrounded by 44 seats and marked by a significant hemp-rope sculpture, aiming to serve as a focal point in the establishment, according to
Eater New York
.
The Italian and Japanese menus range in price and offering, as the Italian side tempts with raw bar items and small pizzas, while the Japanese fare includes robata-grilled delicacies and sushi, providing a modern subtlety to the expanding food scene in the area, as suggested by both
Eater New York
and
The New York Post
. Emphasizing its pull, the New York Post also details how after a six-year-long negotiation with landlord Rosen Group, Yeo managed to secure the grand space that had previously eluded him, finally bringing his vision for a unique, theatrical dining experience to the coveted location.
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