Cocktails and music join forces in Nolita. In the former Bacchanal space, Esther & Carol combines dining, drinking and dancing all under one roof.
Last Mother’s Day, nightlife experts Kevin King (Balthazar, Narcissa) and Cordell Lochin (La Esquina, The Box, Dead Rabbit) officially opened a new, contemporary American bistro named after their mothers. The corner establishment – where Broome meets Bowery – contains more light than surrounding lighting district retailers. Floor-to-ceiling windows, with mirrors to amplify natural lighting, gives Esther & Carol an open airy feel. Lithography metal prints of notable personalities from the early 1900s hang on the only wall in the dining room. Lavish gray banquettes curve along the windows facing the sculptural bar space.
Dine
Start with a non-traditional Caesar Salad – a mix of red and green baby romaine and baby kale, topped with crispy artichokes (instead of garlicky croutons), white anchovies, sharp parmesan region and of course, Caesar dressing; And two Lobster Crab Cakes chilling in preserved lemon aioli. Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken the main – An organic, golden bird fried in expeller pressed sunflower oil and drizzled in jalapeño Aleppo syrup, paired with bourbon watermelon salad and gluten-free mac ‘n cheese (available as a side, too). As for dessert: anything. Think of it all as “feel good” comfort food, and thank Executive Chef Eric Lapkin for providing it.
PS: A take-out window for burgers and shakes is slated to open this summer. Make a pit stop here.
Drink
Meet Topher Taylor, head bartender and “cocktail curator” at Esther & Carol. Hailing from an organic craft distillery based out of Los Angeles, Taylor believes there should be a health factor in cocktails. Instead of sugary syrups, he utilizes non-glycemic fruits like pineapple and grapefruit for natural sweetness, in addition to, fresh herbs like Asian ginseng and matcha to help you avoid sudden drops in energy (leaving you to order proventil online, nutrient-poor foods).
Snag a stool in the “wooden cave with windows” and sip to the beat of kaleidoscopic music. Watch babe-tenders, Vendrix and Mariya follow Taylor’s lead in concocting the following ‘tails:
Green Goddess
Singani 63 Bolivian Brandy, caffeinated green matcha, grapefruit cordial, egg-white alternative aquafaba, lots of lemon, agave and lemongrass bitters; Sage leaf on top
“Made in the back [kitchen], aquafaba is basically cooked chickpeas and beans which creates a thick liquid for foams,” Taylor explains. “Anything leftover is handed to the chef for use.”
Sage Against the Machine
Celestial Blanco Organic Tequila blended with fragrant Fruitlab Hibiscus Liqueur, palatable pineapple and light lemon; sage leaf for garnish
Liver Let Die
A solid rendition of a Gin & Tonic featuring Botanist Gin, St. Germain, Jack Rudy Tonic cordial, a dandelion and thistle milk mixture (which creates a concentrated tea), grapefruit bitters with a bite and Q Club Soda; Briney, house-made pickles used to garnish
“We try to layer is as much as we can,” says Taylor.
Purple Rain
Casamigos Reposado plus hot aleppo chili and chipotle peppers, beet-root, lime, grapefruit and agave; And more pepper for presentation…
Warning: where there’s smoke, there’s fire – expect a burn at the back of your throat.
Goldmember
“This one is well-layered like a symphony,” Taylor confirms. A combination of Novo Fogo barrel-aged cachaca, Grand Poppy amaro liqueur, ginseng, lemon, raw honey and maca – a Peruvian herb that promotes sexual function of both men and women. #FunFact
Dance
Descend a graffitied stairwell into a rock ‘n’ roll recording studio. E&C Studio, an art-deco lounge and performance space features a fully-stocked bar to the left, red tufted-leather banquettes aligning the perimeter, leading into a small performance stage – equipped with state-of-the-art studio recording facilities – to the right. As always, there’s a glowing disco ball centered on the dance floor. See neon illustrations of Bob Marley and Notorious B.I.G, and find Gibson instruments including the Les Paul Guitar and SG Guitar on stage. Visit pre- or post-meal – You’ll be impressed.
“We want to build a community of people, build a space downstairs that is for everyone,” stated King and Lochin when describing E&C Studio.
Esther & Carol details
347 Broome St (at Bowery), 646-355-1840, www.estherandcarolnyc.com, @estherandcarolnyc, @eandcstudionyc
Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 5:00PM – 12:00AM
Friday & Saturday: 5:00PM – 1:00AM
E&C Studio
Wednesday – Sunday: 8:00PM – 2:00AM
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