Upscale Gastronomy on the Lower East Side

The Iconic Chloe 81 Expands with Chloe 81 Blue: A Refined Artisanal Cocktail and Oyster Bar.

Opening its doors in 2008, Chloe 81 fast became a favorite for anyone wanting a late-night drink amongst the connected New York scene. This exclusive location has now expanded to the ground floor above its iconic cellar bar with Chloe 81 Blue, offering its fashionable clientele the finest in oysters, a raw bar and crafted cocktails.

The three owners of Chloe 81 Blue – M Kouger, Brooke Smy and Michael Townsend – have been partnering in inspired hospitality ventures for over six years. Each with a specialty skill set and variety of background, together they combine for a diverse management team that brings much to both this fast-growing business and to the evolving neighborhood. In introducing this much-needed destination for fine seafood and artisanal cocktails, the team of Chloe 81 again elevates the nightlife of New York City’s Lower East Side.

“The LES has changed dramatically in the past few years. There is a lot more foot traffic, affluence and excitement surrounding the area and we're thrilled to have been and to continue to be a part of it“, says M Kouger, co-owner of Chloe 81. “Our collective vision as a management team is to create spaces that bring in a wide array of guests looking for quality food, cocktails and quite simply, a really good time”.

Over the last decade, New York’s Lower East Side has become the neighborhood of choice for those wanting to experience an authentic taste of the city. No longer dirty streets and dive bars, the LES is now home to some of New York’s most inspired boutiques, bars and eateries. Bringing further vibrancy to the neighborhood, Chloe 81 Blue takes its inspiration from a Parisian bistro with custom-designed bar and handcrafted furniture built entirely for this special space. Blue banquettes continue yet contrast the red theme from the cellar bar, set against pristine subway tiling, polished steel finishing and Victorian tin ceilings to create an atmosphere that raises its already high reputation of social excellence.

Address:                      Chloe 81 Blue          

81 Ludlow St. (between Delancey and Broome), Lower East Side, New York, NY 10002

Hours:                         5pm–12pm Weekdays, 5pm–2am Weekends

For more information visit www.chloe81.com. For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

La Barbona unites authentic Mexican with old New York

Tacos, Ceviches and Mezcal Fuel NYC’s New Exclusive Speakeasy.

Bringing a fresh taste of authentic Mexican and a vibe of the old New York back to Greenwich Village, La Barbona is set to open its doors on October X as a reliable go-to for the well informed to kick off or continue a night out. Hidden beneath its iconic sister restaurant De Santos, the discrete location and limited seating set the stage for a refined experience of signature mezcal cocktails and a good time over mind-blowing tacos and ceviches.

Coming to La Barbona via the famed Acme and Montauk’s Surf Lodge, head chef Michael Hamilton began his career under seafood guru Rick Stein; the UK’s top-rated seafood chef. Continuing under the highly acclaimed Daniel Boloud at New York City’s Gordon Ramsey at The London, he then moved downtown to open Kingswood and tenure at Acme with Mads Refslund. His British heritage and contemporary influence bring a unique and inspiring edge to the select menu of family heirloom recipes passed down to Luis Migel Amutio, raised in Mexico and now returning to his roots at La Barbona.

Built from consciously sourced ingredients, such as grass-fed beef to wild-caught fish, the menu is kept clean and simple. In traditional Mexican outfits reflecting their culinary heritage, two ladies hand-press tortillas to create taco sensations and ceviche specialties as guests continue raising a glass well into the early hours. The intimate allure of the kitchen is complimented by the venue’s deceivingly simplistic design, meticulously outfitted by award-winning interior designer Kenyan Paris Lewis. In all, La Barbona presents basic at its best with the finest essentials of any great night out – great drinks, great food and great people in a great space.

“La Barbona is a place to escape the city, and somehow find it,” says Luis Migel Armutio, co-owner of this new late-night hotspot. “ No other venue in Manhattan has the power to transport you to Mexico the way that La Barbona can.”

As one of seven accomplished entrepreneurs behind La Barbona, the ownership team creates a restaurant-bar that’s as memorable as its founders, with the select clientele directly influenced by their vast collective network: British-born doorman-turned-clothing designer Richard Wheeler; Australian restaurateur Dylan Hales who has lead the marketing and operations for a host of successful restaurants and winner of the Zagat 30 Under 30 award for the best young, innovative chefs; actor and movie producer John S. Gordon; nightlife habitué, marketing virtuoso and the driving force behind Common Thread Projects and Up&Down nightclub, Andrew “Ronnie” Flynn; British boxer and restaurateur James Huddleston; and Alejandro Gonzalez, drummer and songwriter for the most successful Latin band in history, Mana.

With a program of phased openings to accommodate the immense reception already received, La Barbona is on its way to becoming not just a city favorite for Mexican food lovers, but the speakeasy icon New York has been missing.

La Barbona, 139 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10014

Hidden beneath its sister restaurant, the beloved De Santos in Greenwich Village, stepping into La Barbona is like being transported to Mexico for the night. Interior designer Kenyan Paris Lewis put a playful twist on the traditional Mexican cantina for the space with dark wood, lots of candlelight and the charming kind of knick knacks you would find at a roadside mom and pop restaurant. The combination of a discreet location and limited seating gives an air of exclusivity without the pretension, perfect for impressing a date or the family when they’re in town.