Contra
New American restaurant · Lower East Side
138 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Highlights
Contra nails inventive New American tasting menus in minimalist chic on the Lower East Side, now evolving into a cocktail-driven bar with standout bites.
Contra nails inventive New American tasting menus in minimalist chic on the Lower East Side, now evolving into a cocktail-driven bar with standout bites.
"Bar Contra is a reimagined version of the former Michelin-starred restaurant Contra, now transformed into a cocktail bar with an experimental drinks menu curated by Dave Arnold. The bar offers unique one-bite snacks, like ruby red prawns and tofu with chives, buckwheat, and caviar. The drinks menu features innovative cocktails such as the Banana Justino and the Sagittarius B2, with a focus on using advanced techniques and high-quality ingredients." - Emma Orlow
"Offering six courses for $78, their prix-fixe is renowned not just for its ambition and creativity but also as one of the best values in town."
"Opening: April Contra, the tasting-menu spot from the Wildair team that closed in 2023, is turning into Bar Contra. The menu will be similar in spirit, with a la carte dishes like fried scallops and celeriac crumpets intended to go with drinks from the nerdiest of cocktail nerds, Dave Arnold (previously of Existing Conditions). With mostly booth seating, the reboot seems like it might be a little comfier than the original." - bryan kim
"Jeremiah Stone and Fabián Von Hauske Valtierra, head chefs and owners of Michelin-starred Contra and Wildair, are partnering up with Philadelphia cream cheese on a three-hour multi-course tasting menu named after feelings like allure and curiosity, according to a representative." - Caroline Shin
"COVID-19 update: Alongside Wildair, Contra is serving up the most exciting takeout in NYC with changing weekly pop-ups. New York's new guard of young chefs are doing things differently at Contra. Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske (also of Wildair) are striving to create and define a new food identity specific to New York City alone, and given the packed seatings, awards, and consistently good reviews—their approach seems to be working. They serve a set menu self-described as "ambitious," so expect everything from uni paired with verbena to skate with beets. The restaurant does not accommodate any changes to the menu, so be sure to check it ahead of the time if you have dietary restrictions. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."
