Wildflower, a botanical cocktail bar and restaurant, is opening this month at 505 W 23rd St.
Katrina McNamee, her brother Ciaran McNamee and their business partner John Lynch are the hospitality veterans behind Wildflower.
What Now NY connected with Katrina McNamee over the phone for an interview about the new restaurant.
“Wildflower is an elevated cocktail bar with an emphasis on florals and botanicals,” said McNamee. “The decor has a natural, earthy feel to it but the space in general is bright and airy. Fresh flowers will be all around and incorporated into the cocktail program as well.”
The brunch menu features stuffed French toast, avocado toast and eggs benedict. For later in the day, guests can select from the core dining menu’s options of chicken schnitzel, shrimp spaghetti, steak frites and a blackened chicken sandwich. The drinks menu will include botanical-based cocktails and innovative takes on the classic gin and tonic. Each of the owners contributed to the concept’s dining and drinks program.
“We all three partnered together to open Madam Mikette’s in Midtown,” said Katrina McNamee. “We have a great collaborative partnership that has worked really well, so we are excited to continue in this venture together as a team.”
Katrina will be on the business’ backend while Ciaran and Lynch will be the main bartenders and customer-facing contacts.
“We want Wildflower to become an integral part of the Chelsea community,” said Katrina McNamee. “It’s a vibrant neighborhood with a nice mix of residential and tourist populations. There’s nothing quite like our concept in the neighborhood right now, so we hope Wildflower will be a welcome addition to the area.
According to McNamee there will be seating for approximately 100 guests indoors. There will also be outdoor seating and a small garden that fits 20.
“I think it is going to be a really vibrant, eclectic place,” said McNamee. “The idea of a wildflower captures the spirit of us, of the neighborhood and the place itself, especially given its location right under the Highline. We hope Wildflower will become a neighborhood gem and that we can make everyone who comes in feel like they are a part of a wider family.”
Wildflower is set to open soon.
