Located on Park Ave South, the museum and eatery take up the historical Church Missions building that dates back to the 1890s and was landmarked in 1979.
The photography museum covers most of the building in six floors, while Verōnika helms the second floor. And though the restaurant reopened briefly in August 2021 after closing due to COVID restrictions in 2020, it closed yet again a few weeks later (though the museum’s clandestine Chapel Bar did remain open).
Luckily, nearly a year later, is it reopening to customers for good on Thursday, June 16 — according to an email sent to subscribers.
As shared on its website, the design was inspired by Eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century.
Upon its reopening, there will be two Verōnika experiences: the Restaurant in the main room, and Bar Veronika, an “intimate space offering craft cocktails, an extensive selection of old and new world wines, and a variety of small plates.” The bar will only accept walk-ins (unless you are a member), while you can book advanced reservations for the restaurant portion.
Thanks to the beautiful work by Roman & Williams, you can pull up to the ornate bar, complete with the original restored stain glass windows, for an innovative cocktail.
Though menus don’t appear on their website yet, past libations included: the sparkling “All that Glitters,” with vodka, green apple, ginger snap, lime and “sparkle;” the “Golden Parachute” with bourbon, pineapple sour, benedictine, fennel seed and mace; plus a wide range of wines, and five beers on tap (including a Czech Krusovice Pilsner).
If you’re up for a fancier bite, the food menu—which served only dinner before—”takes you on a culinary journey from Paris to Budapest.” Past appetizers consisted of Tuna Tartare, potato pierogi, and “Herring Under a Fur Coat” (a salad with fingerling potato, beets, and pickled vegetables). Along with delightful salad options and soups (including a borscht), the entree highlights include veal goulash, chicken kiev, and a black cod dish with a beurre blanc.
And don’t miss dessert: at its last opening, there was a Charlotte Russe with strawberries, lady fingers, vanilla bavarois and a Esterházy Torte with hazelnut meringue, custard buttercream, toasted almonds!
Where: 281 Park Ave. South/22nd, Second floor
Make reservations online here.