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With the continued popularity of modern speakeasies, it's no longer rare to find a bar clandestinely tucked behind the walls of a bustling bistro, or even in the basement of a fast-casual California kitchen. West Village cocktail bar the Garret, concealed in a secret upstairs room above an outpost of Five Guys, is a fan-favorite of the genre. So when the team behind that hush-hush spot expanded to the East Village with the Garret East, many were surprised to find a completely visible, albeit unmarked, bar plopped out in the open on Avenue A.
But it's clear now that partners Gavin Moseley, Adam Fulton and Kyle O'Brien had at least one trick left up their sleeve. Opening Wednesday night, dinnertable reverses the speakeasy conceit, placing a secret restaurant within a bar. Helmed by husband-wife chefs Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito (Quality Italian), the homey 20-seat space, accessible via a simple doorbell, is fitted like a private kitchen with marble tabletops, linen placemats and framed food photos adorning the walls.
The menu centers on meant-to-share dishes, such as a smoked short rib taratare served with horseradish and marble rye ($12), dumplings with potato and pecorino ($15), and a cappellacci with braised veal, guanciale and black garlic ($17). These are complemented by a beverage program by the Garret barman Grant Wheeler, including Italian beers, bottled cocktails poured tableside and a rotating list of biodynamic wines offered by glass or bottle. dinnertable is open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 11pm; and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11:30pm.
Dumplings at dinnertablePhotograph: Courtesy of dinnertable
Lasagna at dinnertablePhotograph: Courtesy of dinnertable
dinnertablePhotograph: Courtesy of dinnertable