The team behind one of Greenwich Village’s most popular Chinese-American restaurants is currently getting ready to debut a brand-new concept.
Figure Eight is the latest concept to arrive from owners Emmeline Zhao and Guy Gladstein. Emmeline was previously behind the wildly popular Silver Apricot restaurant, which was established as part of her mission to share the story of what it means to be a Chinese-American today. Offering an elevated take on iconic Chinese-American dishes like “General Tso’s Chicken”, Silver Apricot’s unique fusion cuisine earned the restaurant high praise from Eater NY, who once stated that Silver Apricot “may be NYC’s most exciting new restaurant.”
Zhao grew up across North Carolina and Shanghai and runs the beverage program at Silver Apricot. A trained sommelier, Zhao developed a beverage list that proudly celebrates domestic producers of wine, sake, and beer – created by women and immigrants and their families.
Now, according to a recent liquor license application submitted to Community Board 2, the team is getting ready to debut a brand new sister concept right next to Silver Apricot. The new restaurant, Figure Eight, is described as “light and modest” and is expected to feature “fresh coastal food and drinks in a more casual and relaxed environment.” Figure Eight is expected to open up at 18 Cornelia Street, in the space that previously housed Pearl Oyster Bar. The location offers approximately 1300 square feet of space on the ground floor and is expected to seat a total of 45 guests inside, with an additional 20-seat outdoor cafe planned for the Spring.
According to a sample menu attached with their application, guests can expect to enjoy light snacks like hush puppies and prawns-in-a-blanket, as well as small plates like oysters, chicken fried green tomatoes, shrimp and burnt-end dumplings, and cold Shanghainese “smoked” mackerel. For larger dishes, Figure Eight will offer options like grilled tilefish, Carolina egg drop fish stew, red braised pork ribs, and salt & pepper shrimp and millet grits. The restaurant will also offer specialty crab dishes made with Chesapeake blue crabs and desserts like peach cobbler and a cheerwine float.
Additionally, Emmeline will be developing an equally robust beverage program for Figure Eight, and the team is currently in the process of acquiring the necessary liquor license to bring that program to life. They are currently proposing operating hours of 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM every day, seven days a week. While the team is still too early into development to launch the proper social media channels for Figure Eight, you can follow Silver Apricot on Instagram for regular updates.
