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It’s clear Ariel Arce has been busy.
Last fall, Arce and her teammates, Aaron Lirette and Kenneth Crum, opened a bar and dining destination inside a three-story carriage house. The first floor belongs to Heroes, a restaurant dedicated to whole animal cookery and dry-aged fish. Above that, you can find one of the hardest reservations in town, the 70s Playboy-esque lounge Pearl Box. To accommodate the flux of thirsty patrons, the team recently unveiled the Bar Room in March, a second-floor, walk-in bar that carries on the vibe of the lounge above it, with martinis and caviar-topped bar bites. For her next act, Arce decided to take to the skies, opening her very first hotel bar.
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On April 3, Arce opened Leonessa on the 16th floor of the Conrad New York Downtown. A love letter to Italy, Leonessa channels the rich culture of Italy's aperitivo culture.
Stepping onto the year-round patio, you'll immediately feel the European influence. Modeling the charm of an Italian terrace, the rooftop features verdant greenery, including lemon trees, bistro-like furniture and a bubbling lion's head fountain. While we can’t look upon the waters of the Amalfi Coast, the bar still gives stunning views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty beyond.
Tapping into Italy's aperitif traditions, the menu features a mix of spritzes and bitter-forward drinks. Yes, you can find the sparkling Spagliato, the twist on the classic Negroni with sweet vermouth and Campari, but the soon to be drink of the summer goes to the Frozen Sgroppino. A take on the classic Venetian cocktail, the refreshing cocktail comes with Belvedere Vodka, limoncello and a scoop of sorbetto. If you'd rather a cocktail, Leonessa has two options for martini lovers, including the classic Leonessa Martini (Portofino Dry gin, dry vermouth and citrus bitters) or, for a bit of heat, the Picante Martini with a Calabrian chili-infused vodka and the botanical-forward ambrato vermouth. You can also personalize your spritz as Leonessa features a running list of amaris, vermouths and cordials, that can be made sparkling with prosecco, soda or tonic. As a nod to tradition, each cocktail comes with complimentary aperitivo-style snacks. Rotating nightly, sample bite include Rosemary Marcona Almonds, Fennel & Orange Marinated Castelvetrano Olives and Parmesan Twists.
A spritz and a snack? Let's just say summertime calls for a visit to Leonessa.