The Citiblog
First Look at Bar Primi’s Stylish Sister Restaurant in the Penn District
April 19, 2024, 7:08.14 pm ET
Photos: Nick Johnson (F&B)
Bar Primi now has a second location in the heart of Midtown offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Bar Primi is operated by Noho Hospitality, the same group behind sought after restaurants such as Locanda Verde, The Dutch, and Lafayette. Noho Hospitality says the new Bar Primi (349 West 33rd St), located in the booming Penn District, offers the same energy and vibrancy of the original’s uptown location. Guests will find a primi piatti-focused menu as well as Italian-inspired cocktails.
Many of the dishes on the original opening menu nearly a decade ago can now be found at the new Bar Primi. Look for things like AC’s Antipasti Salad; Meatballs In Sugo; Pappardelle with ragu bolognese; Vesuvio Scampi with spicy rock shrimp, as well as other Primi pasta favorites.
Dishes range in size, from smaller plates like Burrata Pockets with calabrian honey, and Hot Knots with Italian Chili Crisp, to larger Secondi courses such as the Sea Bass alla Griglia with olive muffuletta, and Little Hen Under A Brick with piccata sauce.
For a sweet finish, or Dolci, there is Bar Primi’s iconic since-day-one Tiramisu, as well as other sweet treats like Lemon Cream Zeppoli and Pistachio Gelato with fennel caramello.
The cocktail menu is a fun celebration of all things Italian. Inspired by the expansive outside dining area, a portion of the menu is designed to transport guests to an Italian piazza with cocktails such as Piazza Julep with Cynar, bourbon, grapefruit, lime, raspberry syrup, and mint, served in a sunflower ceramic; Smokey Luigi with cucumber-infused mezcal, Aperol, Dolin Blanc, and bitters; and a Sicilian Daiquiri with rum, lime, pistachio orgeat, pistachio oil, and a pistachio sugar rim.
Photos: Liam Sheenan (Exteriors)
For a fun twist, guests can also order a Negroni jello shot by Solid Wiggles or sip on an iconic Frosé, which was originally created by Managing Partner Justin Sievers at Bar Primi. In addition to cocktails, Beverage Director and Master Sommelier Josh Nadel has created an exciting wine program that celebrates and highlights indigenous Italian grape varieties, with an opportunity to discover new wines and producers, as well as Italian classics.
Taking over a former warehouse, NoHo Hospitality worked with the New York-based studio Meyer Davis to design the interiors. Embracing the building's industrial history. Meyer Davis opened the facade with expansive steel-framed windows and doors that look out to a lush patio featuring a Breccia Capraia marble bar.
Photo: The Ingalls (Interiors)
The line between indoor and outdoor is further blurred with a large, preserved tree installed in the center of the main dining room. Curated artwork throughout is inspired by the restaurant's character, which provides bold accents and a bit of cheekiness, including a hand-painted mural of Bar Primi's brand character, a woman with a bow-pasta in place of her face, crafted by Finley, a Brooklyn artist.
The team, with more than 75 collective years of experience in the hospitality industry between them, includes Chef Andrew Carmellini, Luke Ostrom, and Josh Pickard who together have produced some of the industry’s most-talked-about establishments.
Bar Primi Penn District will be open for Dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 5pm to midnight, with plans to extend operating hours to lunch and weekend brunch later this Spring. Reservations are available via Resy. For more information, visit barprimi.com
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