An exciting new Italian restaurant is currently making its way to Murray Hill.
The Daisy Room is a brand new concept from Chef Mike Vassallo, expected to move into the space at 530 Second Avenue. For the past 14 years, Mike has been serving as Executive Chef and Partner at Vino Tapa, one of the neighborhood’s foremost wine and tapas bar. Prior to that, Chef Mike served as a line cook at various prestigious restaurants like Amalia and Eleven Madison Park. At Vino Tapa, Mike directs both the kitchen and the beverage program, granting him a unique perspective on the industry and enabling him to better manage his customers’ experiences.
Chef Mike founded Vino Tapa in 2008 with his business partner Mike Sosankin. Still thriving to this day, Vino Tapas is a neighborhood wine bar that specializes in in Spanish tapas. Envisioned as a bar “where strangers become friends by the end of the night,” the two Mikes endeavored to create an unpretentious and friendly wine bar reminiscent of a traditional Spanish café.
Now, it appears that Chef Mike will be taking his wine expertise and fine dining experience to create an entirely new concept. The Daisy Room is envisioned as a high-end, Italian inspired wine and cocktail lounge. Serving premium cocktails and a limited selection of beer and wine, The Daisy Room will offer a menu consisting of small bites and tapas, classic Italian dishes, and a raw bar. Expected to operate between the 5PM – 12AM Sunday to Wednesday and 5PM – 2AM Thursday through Saturday, the restaurant’s environment will be upscale and relaxed, with pre-recorded background music and no live events planned for the space.
Moving into the space at 530 Second Avenue, The Daisy Room will be be replacing Vanguard Bar A Vin. A former wine bar itself, the space is well suited for Chef Mike’s needs and will be able to comfortably seat about 44 guests. While plans for the Daisy Room are still being developed, Vino Tapa is still thriving and always accepts reservations.
