Best known for his roles in Goodfellas, The Sopranos, and White Lotus, Michael Imperioli is an Italian-American gem. He recently shared with us his top five NYC Italian restaurants–proving, though he didn’t need to, that he knows a thing or two about GOOD Italian cuisine–and now he’s letting us into his world of libations as he recently opened a cocktail lounge on the Upper West Side.
And considering Imperioli’s grandfather was a bootlegger during prohibition, the lounge is the perfect way for Michael to carry on the family tradition of bringing booze to the thirsty public.
Dubbed Scarlet, Michael Imperioli teamed up with restaurateur Jeremy Wladis and mixologist Matt Burkhardt to bring modern, elegant libations and live jazz to cocktail aficionados and those looking for a classy, intimate night out.
Imperioli’s wife Victoria designed the interior of the space, inspired by French and American wartime style. The decor emphasizes red hues, drawing from the lounge’s name and evoking old school New York cocktail lounge meets modern mixology bar.
The inventive cocktail menu features modern, elegant libations, comprising of eight signature drinks and eight tried and true classics.
Made using trendy techniques like fat-washing, smoking, and clarification, cocktail highlights include Strawberry Fields with The Botanist Islay Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, elderflower, strawberry, lemon, mint, and champagne, the Pisco Pink Panther, featuring pisco, raspberry Disaronno Amaretto, orgeat, lemon, and rosewater, and its eponymous cocktail, The Scarlet Letter, with pomegranate-infused vodka, red wine gastrique, Luxardo cherry, Cointreau, lemon, cardamom bitters, and thyme.
And, of course, there’s The White Lotus, an original clarified punch of Don Q Cristal Rum, pineapple, yuzu, coconut sugar and Champagne.
To eat the kitchen supplies elevated bar snacks including bites such as Truffle Fries with porcini aioli, Lollipop Lamb Chops Au Jus with basil pistou, Foie Gras Torchon with vanilla infused honey, pomegranate glaze, and brioche toast, and Seared Sea Scallops with warm curry vinaigrette and apple celery leaf salad.
Scarlet is located at 468 Amsterdam Avenue and is open all week from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and until 10 p.m. on Sundays.
You can follow Scarlet on its Instagram.