The Tusk Bar
Cocktail bar · Midtown East ·
Seafood small plates, creative cocktails, and a stylish Jazz Age vibe
Seafood small plates, creative cocktails, and a stylish Jazz Age vibe
"As the name suggests, Tusk Bar looks like a bar and acts like a bar, with the U-shaped drinks-slinging counter as the space's charming centerpiece and a fleet of off-duty Flatiron workers taking solace in a martini and the dusky environs. But you would not be incorrect to call it a restaurant, either, though menu items are on the smaller side and great for sharing—tuna tartare with Kaluga caviar, and—a personal favorite—the mushroom tartine, composed of caramelized onions, maitake mushrooms, and smoked olive oil all laid delicately on puff pastry-like rectangles. The Wagyu steak sandwich was also a top dish, and people love the burger as well. But trust me when I say: do not miss the passionfruit pavlova topped with vanilla cream and meringue—even if you are “too full for dessert.” Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra of Wildair—the eclectic wine bar that’s notably been dropping limited edition donuts every Saturday for years—are the chefs here, and their expertise shines through every bite at The Tusk Bar." - CNT Editors
"North of Madison Square Park, offices and Lenwich locations start to replace nice date spots. But Tusk Bar in the bottom of a 27th Street hotel is a great option. The place has a Jazz-Age feel, with couches and potted palms, and you can make a reservation to guarantee yourself a seat. Eat some fried olives and scallop crudo, and try one of the house martinis, like the tangy Mignonette Gibson. A mini version is available for $12." - will hartman, bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja
"The Tusk Bar, in the bottom of The Evelyn Hotel in Nomad, is a place to drink a martini, pick at shrimp cocktail, and huddle around a lamp while you chat with a date. Like other spots on this list, it’s less of a bar and more of a lounge, with well-spaced tables, a couple of couches, and palm trees dotting the Art Deco-inspired space. Make a reservation, and don’t ignore the snacky food from the Wildair team. At the very least, get a plate of prosciutto." - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, will hartman, tiffany yannetta
"This is less of a place you just pop into, and more of a spot where you make a reservation, then hang out for a few hours, preferably with a date. The Jazz Age-inspired spot on the ground floor of The Evelyn has plenty of tables covered with white tablecloths, in addition to a few couches and a single stuffed ostrich mounted on the wall. Be sure to try the bar snacks from the Wildair team. The steak sandwich is tiny, but delicious, and the oysters pair wonderfully with the mignonette martini." - bryan kim, matt tervooren
"On a Saturday night the lobby bar from Jeremiah Stone and Fabián Von Hauske Valtierra met all the criteria I look for: well-located, easy to walk into with a group, and serving expertly made cocktails — I loved the Marigold with tequila, bell pepper, and chile, and the savory Mignonette Gibson — but the fries landed as some of my favorites in the city; at $13 they're staggering, but worth it: piled high, perfectly crispy and salted, heavy on umami, and served with an aioli that made them taste like an upgraded McDonald's (said as the highest form of praise). Go for happy hour or stop in before or after a meal at Brass, because this won't be a well-kept secret for long." - Eater Staff
