The iconic Figaro Cafe effortlessly brought the “la dolce vita” lifestyle to the West Village!
Upon arriving to the festive new menu and cocktail tasting experience, I was drawn to Figaro’s charming and old-school appeal that was showcased right outside, before heading into the indoors magic. The restaurant’s outside area offers a classic Italian aesthetic with its comfortable wooden chair seating and vacation colors of beige, blue and white all throughout – perfect for a leisurely catch-up with friends while people-watching, like a true Mediterranean. Inside, the allure continued as we were met with a rose tree at the front, a sleek bar, and elegant Figaro newspaper wallpaper across the space. Owner and General Manager Mario Skaric showcased not only a beautiful transformation of the restaurant but also a new and delicious cuisine and cocktail menu that grabbed our attention and taste buds. We had the absolute pleasure of enjoying the iconic space that Bob Dylan, Lenny Bruce and Jack Kerouac previously visited while being introduced to the updated menu.
Our favorite signature cocktail of the evening, called the “Butterfly Effect,” had a captivating smokey finish that featured bee pollen infused Mezcal, St. Germain, calamansi juice, and celery bitters. The second new drink is called the “Flower Drunk” and includes London dry gin, rose water, Chai tea syrup, lemon juice, and hibiscus. The final and strongest drink is called “Lulling Negroni” and features roasted coconut-washed London dry gin, tonic infused Campari, early grey sweet vermouth, and coconut water. The Mediterranean-based menu offered a variety of delicious options such as Hamachi Sashimi, thinly sliced Wagyu skewers, Blackened Shrimp on toast, and A Tale of Two Skewers. With so many savory options, instead of dealing with jet lag to the Italian coast, one can simply catch a train to the West Village and indulge in the slow and steady pace of “the sweet life,” at Figaro Cafe!