Along a townhouse-lined street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is the recently opened Amarena, an Italian dining concept from chef Julian Medina and restaurateur Louis Skibar, the partners behind Mexican hotspots Toloache and El Fish Marisqueria.
Named after the classic Italian cherry, Amarena encapsulates Italy’s vibrancy and timelessness, blending rustic charm with a touch of luxury.
Designed by Pablo Castellanos of Bruccolino Studios, the 3,600-square-foot restaurant spans two floors, transporting guests to coastal Italy while evoking the classic grandiose style of Rome.
The first floor channels the quaint charm of coastal trattorias and countryside eateries, with muted green hues punctuating the space as a nod to lush Mediterranean olive groves. In the front of the space, intimate, curved wooden booths line one wall while a 12-seat bar sits opposite. The marble bar—with patterns and décor inspired by Italian summers—is paired with luxurious red velvet bar stools.
Another dining room area—features wooden tables and chairs and a curved muted olive banquette—is located in the back.
Overhead, recessed lighting adds dimension to exposed wooden beams that stretch across the ceiling, while white and yellow penny tiles run underfoot, creating a cohesion throughout the first floor’s dining areas.
A set of stairs leads to the upstairs dining room. Here, a bay window nook encloses an oval mahogany table that’s set against a vintage red floral wallcovering. This space opens out into the main room that pulls in rich and luxurious reds reminiscent of the palaces that overlook the Amalfi Coast.
More from HD:
Morad Tabrizi Interprets the Aman Spirit Into Furniture
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Eric Papachristos, A Street Hospitality Group
Guest Appearance: Resorts Welcome Vibrant Brand Takeovers
