Bars: Flex Mussels, an offshoot of a popular seafood joint on Prince Edward Island, Canada, is suitable for casual groups. The cozy 75-seat place opened in late November and offers 23 different mussel dishes, which can be sampled with beer or wine at the bar up front. For more formal gatherings, the classic haunts in this neighborhood tend to be the best bets for entertaining. The 75-seat Bemelmans Bar is one, best known for its Madeline murals, jazz entertainment, and inventive drinks. Lesser known as a drinking spot is the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, which serves wine, beer, and cocktails. The pretty outdoor area is only open during the warmer months, typically between May and late fall.
Restaurants: Like the name suggests, Fishtail, the latest venture from chef David Burke, is a seafood restaurant. It occupies a two-floor town house decorated with a modern aquatic motif—picture colorful illustrations of fish contrasted against a mostly white room. There’s a main dining area on the second level, as well as a 16-seat bar and a small outdoor section with room for 25 people. The setting at Rouge Tomate, the health-conscious import from Belgium, is similarly modern, with artwork by Per Fronth and custom leather chairs. Six semiprivate booths are good for intimate groups, and an 18-seat room on the lower level affords privacy.
Private Room: Lucas Billheimer, who previously worked in the kitchens of Lure Fishbar and Park Avenue Café, is the executive chef at new neighborhood chophouse Parlor Steakhouse. In addition to two dining areas and a 30-seat bar is a private area on the lower level. Suitable for groups of 40, this section comes complete with its own bar, comfy banquettes, and a working fireplace.
