Between seafood-focused Italian American restaurant San Sabino, over-the-top whimsical Italian restaurant (that isn’t exactly an Italian restaurant) Bad Roman, Michelin Starred dining hot spot Don Angie, and more, one thing we can say for sure is that the beloved NYC hospitality group Quality Branded knows a thing or two about creating a dining experience that has it all. And they just added a new restaurant to their roster: Twin Tails.
Twin Tails is the team’s newest Southeast Asian restaurant, blending together influences from various countries. The 140-seat two-floor space is influenced by retro-futuristic ’80s vibes with its mirror-paneled walls, floor to ceiling windows with stunning Central Park views, lava stone floor tiles, and dim ambient lighting from the space’s amber glass chandeliers. Hidden discretely off of the front entryway is a speakeasy-type room with lounge style seating, perfect for pre or post-dinner cocktails.
Leading the kitchen is Chef/Partner Craig Koketsu, who’s been in the Quality Branded family for nearly two decades, joined by Executive Chef Chad Brown, previously of Del Posto. The menu offers dishes that celebrate the flavors, ingredients, and techniques found throughout Southeast Asia, with strong influences from Thailand and Vietnam and nods to Cambodia and Laos.
The menu begins with raw offerings such as Yellowtail with watermelon nuoc cham and shiso, and Dressed Kusshi Oysters with spicy calamansi shaved ice. Starters include Green Papaya & Kumquat Salad, prepared tableside with a mortar and pestle, King Crab and Uni Buns in “Cha Ca La Vong” style, and Banh Khot, savory Vietnamese mini pancakes with peekytoe crab and champagne mango.
Main courses start with fish and include Sautéed Dover Sole with Tom Kha beurre blanc, move on to a meat section which features Lemongrass Ribs with black pepper caramel and Cho Lon Duck, served with steamed crepes and accouterments like red curry, tamarind jam, nam jim, and pickled pineapple, and features shellfish including Twin Lobster Noodle with garlic chive vermicelli.
Sounds like you’ll want to go with a few friends so you can order more and try a bit of everything!
Vibrant and playful desserts round out the menu, and include dishes like Ube Creme Caramel, Rainbow Sherbet Cake with guava, lime, pineapple chili, and graham-cashew crunchies, and various Souffles like pistachio-pandan, coconut red curry, and passion fruit, so be sure to save some room for dessert!
The food is presented alongside innovative cocktails from Beverage Director Bryan Schneider, pouring drinks like the Bangkok Screwdriver with vodka, calamansi, galangal, Thai basil, and chile, the Salted Lychee Martini with vodka, lychee, olive, and lime leaf, the Sambal Margarita with sambal chili-infused tequila, lime, cointreau, and spicy salt, and more.
For a dining experience reminiscent of iconic circa-1980s NYC restaurants, Twin Tails is the place to go, and it’s now open in Midtown, not far from sister spot Bad Roman. Dinner service begins at 5 pm each night.
Learn more and make your reservations on Twin Tails’ website.
📍 10 Columbus Circle (3rd Floor), at West 58th Street