Dandelion is the latest cocktail bar to land in downtown Manhattan, opening in the West Village by Eytan Sugarman and Will Makris, the pair behind Zero Bond, White Horse Tavern and Made in New York Pizza. It’s a familiar roll call, but this project feels more considered, and definitely worth crossing town for.
Drinks come first. The cocktail programme is handled by Keith Larry and John Garda, with head bartender Nikola Stankovic, and it’s laid out with welcome clarity. ‘Easy Drinking’ covers highballs and chuhais, including Toji, a lightly sparkling mix of yuzu, bergamot and shochu, and the Fox, a kiwi and honey highball sharpened with citrus and a touch of Greek yoghurt. ‘Fun & Fresh’ pulls from the archive, with playful upgrades such as Cuffing Season, a rye sour finished with brown butter, maple and mandarin foam.
Martinis are treated seriously. Freezer pours include classic, 50/50, vesper and vodka, with Dirty options arriving alongside garnishes that go way beyond the olive; think parmesan ribbons, caviar-stuffed olives and prosciutto di Parma. More leftfield versions include a Greek Martini built with mastiha and bay leaf, and a tomato martini made with salted tomato and feta brine. For those staying late, the ‘Slow Sippers’ section delivers weightier pours like Shades of Green, blending nori, apple, sherry and Irish whiskey, and G.G., a rich Manhattan finished with Spanish brandy and gold foil fig.
One of Dandelion’s defining rituals is the Green Hour; a guided Chartreuse and absinthe pairing served with chilled water and small bites, encouraging guests to control their pace.
Food is overseen by chef Franco Sampogna of Michelin-starred Frevo, keeping things sharp and unfussy. The menu runs from oysters with sumac mignonette and razor clams with pickled mushrooms to bluefin tuna crudo with caviar, shrimp cocktail with smoked trout roe, a lobster roll, and a prime rib-eye steak sandwich with provolone and red pepper chimichurri.
Design comes from Emily Pires and Elena Hristu of E&E Creative. A 17 seat green marble bar sets the tone, backed by curved banquettes, velvet seating, hand-painted wallpaper and preserved dandelions. Artwork by Mexican artist Leopoldo Goút lines the walls, while a McIntosh sound system keeps the space sounding tiptop.
A polished new West Village cocktail bar with a jaw-dropping menu and devilishly good looks, Dandelion is the spot to let your night take flight.
@dandelionnewyork
@emilyandelena
Dandelion West Village Photography, Kelsey Cherry.
