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Wonderland Opens in East Village
July 12, 2024, 12:14.20 pm ET

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Photos: Patrick Dolande

Wonderland, a modern Sichuan gastrobar from the hospitality group behind Midtown’s CHILI, has taken root in the heart of the East Village.

Helmed by Michelin starred Executive Chef Peter He 何少岩, the menu at Wonderland highlights a baroque array of novel and contemporary Sichuan dishes. CHILI owners Miki Niu and Lok Yee Yim have joined forces on the project with Chef He as well as co-owner and barman Zhouyu Tso.

Richly decorated with lots of greenery, Tiffany crystal butterfly lamps and a dry ice cauldron centerpiece, Wonderland offers a maximalist experience. Occupying the former Mermaid Inn space, Wonderland boasts two distinct environments with seating for up to 70 guests.

Menu highlights include Sichuan Mala beef jerky, kumamoto oyster with uni and caviar; Chungking spicy chicken sliders; Sichuan cold noodles with sesame, peanuts and scallion; and eel club with pork served with wasabi mayonnaise.

The bounty of Chengdu spices and house-made syrups form the foundation of the elaborate cocktail menu. Between mushroom glassware and orbs set ablaze, each drink becomes an altered experience.

Signature cocktails include the Slow and Steadily with gin, ginger, allspice, Sichuan peppercorn, lemon, egg white — and a submerged marshmallow duck; the New Fashioned is made with truffle oil washed bourbon, syrup, and bitter; and the Shiso Leaf combines the namesake perilla with peach syrup, ginger, gin and lime. The pièce de résistance is the Cumin Eileen, a reinterpretation of Chef He’s Sichuan lamb in mezcalita form — smoothly incorporating plum, cumin, ginger, tomato and onion.

Wonderland is located at 96 2nd Avenue between East 5th and East 6th Street and open from 4pm to Midnight every evening. Reservations can be made by calling (212) 814-2943 or visiting wonderlandbarnyc.com
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