Cafe Zaffri will be opening alongside The Twenty Two New York, a hotel and private members club opening this fall in Union Square.
Cafe Zaffri will open in the hotel in conjunction with the restaurant group behind Raf’s and The Musket Room. Jennifer and Nicole Vitagliano, executive chef Mary Attea and executive pastry chef Camari Mick will be bringing the concept to life.
The restaurant will serve Levantine cuisine, featuring dishes that use both Mediterranean and Levant cuisine styles.
“This one-of-a-kind team has curated a menu influenced by Chef Mary’s Lebanese heritage that will consist of a modern interpretation of Levantine cuisine, drawing inspiration from the culinary ethos of the region and its diaspora with an emphasis on local, fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors,” reads a release by Cafe Zaffri. “In true Middle Eastern style, the experience will be a celebration of food and company, sharing joyful moments around the table, in a warm and inviting atmosphere.”
The restaurant will feature an “Old World” atmosphere with velvet drapery, marble mosaic floors and brass elements. There will also be a bar room featuring velvet seating and Persian rugs where customers can enjoy drinks.
Cafe Zaffri will be located on the ground floor and open to the public. It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast offerings will include pastries, breads and egg dishes. Lunch dishes will include grilled prawns with arak and tarragon and dishes featuring tahini and eggplant. The restaurant’s signature dinner entrees will include grilled octopus with harissa, spaghetti with crab and saffron, and lamb tartare.
There will also be a second members-only restaurant in The Twenty Two slated to open later in the fall.
The Twenty Two, which also has a hotel in London, has been planning its New York debut for years. It will feature 77 rooms and a private club in addition to Cafe Zaffri.
