The Citiblog
Bar Bastion, a Sexy New Cocktail Bar, Arrives in Midtown
March 4, 2023, 10:48.59 am ET
Photos: Alex Stanlinoff
Tucked away atop fine dining restaurant Le Jardinier in Midtown is Bar Bastion, a luxurious new cocktail bar by The Bastion Collection, an international restaurant group that collectively holds five Michelin stars. Located on the second level of the SELENE condominium at 610 Lexington Avenue (at 53rd Street), Bar Bastion offers a selection of playful, yet refined cocktails in a sophisticated space.
“We are thrilled to introduce Bar Bastion to Midtown Manhattan, and launch a new curated cocktail program in a striking setting,” says Deleon Pinto, Chief Operating Officer of The Bastion Collection. “Bar Bastion marks the growth of The Bastion Collection which includes Michelin-starred restaurants in Houston, Miami and Geneva.”
Helmed by Head Bartender, Rachel Prucha (formerly of Evelina, Quality Eats, and Jungle Bird), the cocktail menu consists of five classic cocktails and five rotating seasonal offerings as well as a selection of mocktails.
The classics are comprised of ubiquitous staples with Prucha’s personal spin using inventive flavor combinations, such as the Old Fashioned, made with cinnamon infused bourbon, Amaretto, rich demerara, orange and chocolate bitters, and the Martini made with olive oil washed Gin Mare, dill infused dry vermouth, and orange bitters.
Mirroring Le Jardinier’s seasonal and vegetable-forward ethos downstairs, the seasonal cocktail list will be a rotating list of ingredient-focused libations, such as Carrot Me Away, made with carrot juice, honey syrup, chamomile infused scotch, and a Laphroaig rinse or Off Beet, made with beet juice, lemon oleo saccharum, caraway seed–infused dry vermouth, shochu, and nigori sake. Mocktails include Blood Type made with Seedlip 42 Grove, blood orange syrup, basil lemon and tonic, and Over-Cuked with lime, cucumber, mint, pineapple and ginger beer.
Luxurious bar bites, created by Le Jardinier’s Chef de Cuisine, Andrew Ayala, include Maine lobster tartlets topped with curry aioli and royal kaluga caviar, grass-fed beef tartare with sourdough toast, and charred avocado mousse served with sweet potato chips.
Desserts from Executive Pastry Chef Salvatore Martone include a mini version of Le Jardinier’s stunning butterfly dessert featuring yuzu delicate mousse, raspberry compote and a pistachio sable, as well as mini ice cream cones.
The space, designed by renowned French architect Joseph Dirand, features a monumental marble staircase leads from Le Jardinier to Bar Bastion with double-height ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. The 38-seat cocktail bar evokes Art Deco glamor with striking dark woods, mirrored glass, and three types of bespoke lacquer. Dirand custom-designed the furniture including velvet upholstered banquettes and armchairs, and black mirrored and brushed brass tables and consoles.
Bar Bastion will be open for service five days a week Tuesday through Saturday, 5:30pm – 10:30pm. For more information, visit barbastion.com. Reservations not required. Dress code is smart casual.
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