Rarely is there a restaurant that encourages long nights spent lingering over good food in a no-rush atmosphere. Often, you’ll find yourself hastily pushed out of an establishment for the next reservation or given last calls for your kitchen order by 9pm. But what if you’re seeking the vibrant buzz of old-school New York — the kind of place Carrie Bradshaw might have frequented for a spontaneous late night?

This summer, the newly opened Aquarelle restaurant offers the opportunity to eat seafood into the a.m., dance by the DJ booth, and explore dining areas reminiscent of deep-sea living. Step off the curb of East Village’s Avenue B and into an underwater world designed for true escapism.

Background

Marcus Andrew and Baris Koroglu by Nadja Sayej

No one captures the essence of a late-night venue quite like a veteran club owner — unless it’s a collaboration between two. Aquarelle’s creators, Marcus Andrew and Baris Koroglu, bring over two decades of combined experience in New York’s nightlife scene. 

Their track record includes successes like Le Souk (a celebrity hangout in the early aughts), Lamia Fish Market, The Lullaby, Paradise Club, and 9 Jones — an impressive résumé in an industry where it’s “sink or swim.” In this case, sinking is exactly the point.

But it’s the personal touches that breathe the most life into the cavernous space — from Andrew’s passion for architecture and deep knowledge of the building (formerly Le Souk), to Koroglu’s upbringing in a historic region of Turkey known for its underground cities.

Food and Drink

Lobster at Aquarelle by Alex Korolkovas

Dining at Aquarelle is an immersive experience, with shareable offerings ranging from Champagne & Caviar samplings to the Royal Seafood Tower. Guests are encouraged to select their own catch of the day, watch ceviche being prepared tableside, and even greet their lobster dinner in one of the display tanks.

Appetizers

Hamachi Nobu Crudo

Start with a buttery hamachi crudo, served with jalapeño for a spicy crunch, topped with black sesame seeds and garnished with cilantro. Another standout is the feta tomato salad, plated with cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, and a generous block of feta — a refreshing palate cleanser between seafood courses.

The shrimp ceviche is a lime lover’s dream, accompanied by tortilla chips for dipping into the zingy sauce that gathers at the bottom. Craving carbs? Choose from a variety of flatbreads, or stick with the seafood theme with tartare, Shrimp Kataifi (move over Dubai chocolate), or a classic caviar bump.

Mains

Squid Ink Linguine w/ Crab Meat at Aquarelle by Alex Korolkovas

Choose the salt-baked fish or seafood risotto and you’ll be treated to a tableside spectacle. Servers flambé and fillet the fish in front of you, while risotto is scooped straight from a massive parmesan wheel, featuring shrimp, squid, and octopus.

Seafood is flown in several times a week from Maine and Montauk, while all produce comes from Andrew’s Long Island farm. Aquarelle also offers elevated versions of classics like wood-fired roasted chicken, filet mignon, and lobster.

Drinks

Cocktails at Aquarelle by Alex Korolkovas

The cocktail menu leans botanical, with options like a yuzu-thyme gin spritz and a lavender sea salt martini. Many cocktails have a citrus element to complement the seafood. Order the Le Souk for a nostalgic nod, made with your choice of bourbon or rye and Italicus in a classic Old Fashioned format.

If you prefer something fruitier, try the LYU BLYU, made with raspberry syrup, lime, tonic, and a hint of English breakfast tea botanical. You can also sample a martini flight or ask the bartender to surprise you.

Atmosphere and Service

The Cove at Aquarelle by Alex Korolkovas

Aquarelle’s layout is as immersive as its menu, with six distinct areas offering unique underwater-inspired environments. The lounge houses the bar in an industrial, submarine-like room adorned with ship renderings and nautical sconces.

Then there’s the Cove, a 20-seat room with marble tabletops and a teal velvet couch designed to resemble ocean waves. Sea glass orbs dangle from the ceiling, which is woven with fishing nets and arched to resemble an aquatic alcove. This area flows into the raw bar, where psychedelic, deep-sea visuals are projected onto a massive wall, and a transparent ceiling reveals views of the city above.

Raw Bar and Seafood Tower at Aquarelle by Alex Korolkovas

The Deck continues the glass-ceiling design with cozy booth seating. Toward the back of the restaurant are the Grotto and Board Room. The Grotto features candlelight and a sweeping mermaid mural in a secluded, underground setting, while the Board Room resembles more of a conference space aboard a yacht.

Throughout the evening, trance and house music sets the mood, kept mellow for the older crowd before 9pm. Around 9:30, a younger crowd begins to arrive. And by 11:00, the DJ transforms the space into a scene straight out of Ibiza. And the best part is: you can enjoy a coastal Mediterranean fantasy without leaving the five-mile radius of home.

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FAQs

Q: Does Aquarelle offer brunch?

A: Yes, Aquarelle serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, featuring a dedicated menu with seafood and traditional Turkish brunch dishes.

Q: What is Aquarelle’s address?

A: Aquarelle is located at 47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009.

Q: When did Aquarelle open?

A: Aquarelle opened earlier this summer, on June 26th.