The Office NYC

This review is for The Aviary NYC. I haven't been to the flagship in Chicago so I don't have a point of reference, but I truly enjoyed my experience here. The cocktails are "fussy" but really fun and delicious. I enjoyed the theatrical component. Food was tasty, the views over Columbus Circle are stunning. We did the 3-course Cocktail Progression tasting. Each cocktail was paired with a small dish.

The main bar is actually The Aviary and the library inside or behind the main bar is The Office. Got reservations for both in one night and it was a great experience. The Aviary has a food pairing option or you can pick your own drinks and food. The most impressive food item on the menu is the giant crispy pork skin. It stands over 2 feet tall. I can snack on that all day. The idea is that you break pieces of the pork rind as you enjoy your drinks. It's salty and vinegary. It is also a great conversation starter as people near you are seated and they are wondering what's that giant of a sculpture you are eating. The drinks or should I say the concoctions are so inventive and unique. Some are like a science experiment and some are a work of art. Whichever you decide, it will be something delicious and out of this world. At least, out of this world for first timers. The Office has a different vibe. It's more like a speakeasy. You are escorted and seated by the host to a library. The drink and food menu are both different than outside in the Aviary. They have this one drink that completely caters to your taste profile called the dealer's choice. Is it expensive?! Hell ya!!!! But what the hay, you are in NYC. Enjoy a little and slurge a little.

The Aviary's Chicago location is my favorite place for cocktails, so I knew I had to try their NYC location while I was in town. We waited for about 15 minutes at our seat before getting a menu, which was a bit slow but ultimately wasn't the end of the world - I know they're still working some things out here. I asked my server what he thought of a particular drink, and he literally read the ingredients off the menu to me, which wasn't very promising, so I stopped asking for opinions. Ultimately I know you can't go wrong at the Aviary :^). After those hiccups, the drinks were all amazing with great presentation. The server who presented the drinks was VERY knowledgeable and so I just asked them my questions instead. Also, I'm not sure if we were supposed to get a complimentary starter drink (like the pepperberry/hot toddy at the Chicago location), as I did see them going to other tables, but we didn't seem to receive one. Not the end of the world, but just another thing for the servers to note. The drinks were still amazing, and the view is wonderful, but I think there's just something about the original location that makes me choose it as my favorite of the two - that said, I still love both places!!! It was fun taking my pork skin leftovers home in a gift bag, proudly and loudly munching on it while marching through times square. Great drinks, just a bit more practice for the servers perhaps.

Very interesting overall experience but you better be able to hold down your liquor as the different mix of liquors of each course ends up messing you up. This is a speakeasy inside the Mandarin hotel on the 35th floor and a sister bar to the Aviary where they take you to a side door out of the way.

The bar is located on the 35th floor of the mandarin hotel. You need to make a reservation and when you check in at the aviary, the hostess will lead you to the office. The drinks were excellent! There is the option of the “dealers choice” where you can tell the bartender what you like, and he will make a custom drink for you.

Probably the best cocktail experience in NYC. Excellent food pairings and some of the drinks were jaw droppingly creative. I'd recommend this for when you want to splurge. I'm sure the quality of cocktail is not quite up there with the other iconic places, but The Aviary more than makes up for that with sheer creativity in presentation.

Drinks are striking in presentation, decent in taste, but very light (2 of 3 we ordered had no detectable alcohol). Food is pretty good, but at obscene prices. Service not very good.

We LOVE every restaurant under The Aviary umbrella! The drinks were absolutely phenomenal and cookie skillet was very tasty. Unfortunately the service wasn’t up to par with everything else. We will definitely be back