La Carafe Restaurant and Wine Bar popped the cork this month to celebrate its opening. Within one week, La Carafe enjoys the company of neighbors, the captivated passerby, the knowledgeable wine connoisseur, and Mediterranean food fanatic–drawn into this Hell’s Kitchen home by its welcoming atmosphere. In its cozy hearth reveals the superb wine spread of over 100+ vintages and the savory dishes created by owner and chef Al Rineh, also founder of the successful L’Ybane Restaurants.
“La Carafe is where we want people to feel at home, comfortable being themselves, enjoying friendly encounters and rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine,” expressed Rineh who along with restaurant partner Mike Muche desire to see La Carafe loyal to the taste of wine, the community, and the French Mediterranean lifestyle.
Amidst European rustic charm, La Carafe’s floor seats up to 30 with its wood tables and copper covered bar aglow with oil candles. Customers can take in the charming details back dropped by funky lamps and shelved rows of wine accenting the exposed brick wall.
La Carafe carte spotlights selections from Rineh’s culinary arsenal. A variety of hot and cold appetizers–spiced chickpea fritters, grilled merguez, eggplant caviar–and specialty pasta, seafood and Mediterranean entrees featuring the black pearl dish, cassolette de moules. These French mussels come sauced in a choosing of savory spices and ingredients–saffron cream, classic marinara or shallot-garlic white wine.
Native to Nice, Rineh can be found interacting with customers, “Walking down the streets of Nice, you find bistros with people outside at the tables with pitchers of wine, una carafe. We want create this experience for our customers–that they taste and feel the richness of life found in southern France, immersed in the friendly and relaxed environment of our own La Carafe.”
La Carafe is located in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, 653 Ninth Avenue between 46th and 47th Street. Specializing in French Mediterranean cuisine, La Carafe offers the experience of Nice with the essence of classic New York. All are welcome to enjoy Happy Hour, brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks within its inviting aroma, Monday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 2:00 am. Reservations can be made by calling 212-333-5100.
