Agency of Record, a new restaurant and craft cocktail bar reminiscent of the Mad Men Era is opening in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Agency of Record will officially open its doors on Friday, November 10.
From Ryan McKenzie and the team at 27 Tales Hospitality – whose founding members are behind hits like Patent Pending, Rezdôra, and seeyamañana – Agency of Record fuses stylish ambiance with old-school, 1950s-60s flair.
The concept is located in the historic Renwick Hotel (which was home to notable mid-century writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck), just steps from the Madison Avenue advertising corridor.
Consulting Chef Edward Carew (Gramercy Tavern, Craft, Ace Hotels) puts an elevated twist on traditional bistro and bar fare. The menu includes shareable bites, hearty entrées, and sweet treats – many of which spotlight the use of the property’s wood-fired kitchen. Menu items include:
- Duck Fat Fries (confit steak fries, garlic aioli)
- Grilled Prawns (Calabrian chili butter, chives)
- Lobster Cocktail (chilled half lobster, Louie sauce)
- Japanese Karaage-Style Fried Chicken (pickled veggies, spiced aioli)
- French Onion Burger (dry-aged patty, French onions, gruyere, garlic aioli)
- Veggie Shawarma (lion’s mane, grilled veggies, harissa yogurt, flatbread)
- Plus bone-in ribeye, schnitzel, pork ribs, and more
Agency of Record’s cocktail program features four sections (the names of which are inspired by classic advertising vernacular): Like Soda for a Baby (bright, awakening sippers), The Big Sell (designed to deliver that warm and fuzzy feeling), From a Far Away Land (sips with a tropical flair), and Everyone is Doing It (drinks designed for a party). Highlights include:
- The A+B Test (blanco tequila, aged cachaca, sotol, thai chili, lychee, lime)
- The Four Ps (Venezuelan, Jamaican, Mexican, Haitian rums, pistachio, almond, turmeric, lemon)
- Always Be Closing (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, oloroso sherry, cold brew, black sesame, banana)
- Prime Time (gin, shochu, white porto, tarragon, blueberry, egg white, lemon)
- Sex Sells (Japanese vodka, vanilla, passionfruit, orgeat, lemon)
The space’s design transports guests to old New York with rich mahogany tones, playful fringe, leather accents, dark wood and brass, and intimate mood lighting. The concept also includes a cozy private dining room complete with a vintage martini cart and private bartender for evening rent-outs.
Agency of Record will be open seven days a week for walk-ins (4pm till late) as well as for reservations via Resy.
Agency of Record is located at 118 E 40th St, New York, NY 10016.
