"Experiential cocktails are landing in Hell’s Kitchen at Dolly Varden, a new, bi-level restaurant and bar opening in the first week of March. Located at 302 W. 51st Street, at 8th Avenue, the imaginative project is led by executive chef Forster Sorensen, who previously spent time at Chicago destination Au Cheval, and head bartender Artemio Vasquez, formerly of renowned cocktail bar PDT. At Dolly Varden, the lavishly decorated specialty cocktails, priced between $14 to $16 apiece, stand in the spotlight. Witch of the West Side, a tequila and mezcal-based drink, is finished off with a single, giant liquid smoke bubble that releases citrus aromas when popped, while a pineapple rum-based cocktail comes topped with the spiky leaves from the fruit. In the kitchen, Sorensen will be serving a $17 burger that he’s likely hoping will compete with Au Cheval’s version that drew crowds in Chicago, although Eater senior critic Robert Sietsema panned the burger at the restaurant’s New York location. Other American comfort food staples will fill out the menu, including fried chicken and a hefty sausage spread. The project unfolds over two levels in the building; the downstairs bar caters more towards walk-ins looking to grab drinks in a casual, lively setting while the upstairs restaurant offers more traditional dining options. Both levels accept reservations, and the entire space seats about 120 people." - Erika Adams
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