Understand it or not, Recent York City’s buzziest restaurants just about all fall under the umbrella of a select variety of genius hospitality groups – amongst this select number is Quality Branded, which has recently added to its number (Zou Zou’s, Don Angie, Quality Bistro and Smith & Wollensky et al) with the opening of Twin Tails in Midtown.
Opened within the later weeks of October, just as town began to hunker down into its fall coziness, Twin Tails has stormed onto the scene, bringing with it the large, daring flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine.
While food is of course the driving force behind why we exit for dinner, those smart souls at Quality Branded know the trendy diner is after greater than just a very good plate of grub and to that end has employed one in all town’s – nay the world’s – most really helpful hospitality design firm to bring Twin Tails to live. Those views across Central Park aren’t half bad either.
Chef
Having been within the Quality Branded bubble for over 20 years, where he’s chargeable for leading culinary development across the group, Craig Koketsu has stepped as much as the plate to assume the role of chef/partner at Twin Tails.
Supporting Koketsu within the kitchen is executive chef Chad Brown (previously of now-closed Michelin-starred Italian joint, Del Posto), while the drinks list comes courtesy of beverage director Bryan Scheider, who has the likes of Daniel, Clover Club and Bad Roman on his résumé.
Menu
The menu glances over the Pacific, primarily taking inspiration from the culinary traditions of Thailand and Vietnam, with some influence from Cambodia and Laos, too. Things kick off with a raw selection (think cured Atlantic fluke, salmon crudo with green apple and yellowfin tuna with ginger), before leading right into a heartier choice of seafood-focused appetizers.
Content from our partners
Southeast Asian classics are aplenty throughout the menu: there’s chicken satay, prawn pad thai, fresh summer rolls and sweet sticky rice.
Desserts are intentionally playful and proceed to nod toward classic Asian flavors. Make a choice from an ube (yam) creme caramel, Thai iced coffee affogato and a wide range of souffles (including an intriguing red curry number).
The drinks program continues in the identical vein, with classic cocktails given a twist: the martini is updated with a touch of lychee; the negroni gets a drizzle of tamarind.
Interiors
Twin Tails’ classy, sultry and distinctly retro interiors were artfully designed by global firm AvroKo. Known for its larger-than-life tackle hospitality projects (previous clients include Single Thread in California, 1 Hotel Recent York City and The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern), the AvroKo team looked to the old-school NYC restaurants of the Eighties for inspiration, and employed daring brass details, mirrored panels, and a wealthy gold and green color palette to create a way of nostalgia. Amber-hued chandeliers solid an atmospheric glow, while expansive Central Park views imbue a straightforward sense of place.
In addition to the 140-seat major dining room, there’s a secluded speakeasy-style cocktail lounge for pre- and post-dinner drinks, in addition to a personal dining room with space for as much as 26.
