One of spring 2021’s highest-profile restaurant arrivals, Le Pavillon opened its doors in One Vanderbilt, Midtown’s newest and tallest skyscraper, on May 19. Positioned on the cloud-skimming stunner’s second floor, the French affair has finely-framed views of Grand Central Terminal and the glittering top of the Chrysler Building.
Le Pavillon’s 11,000-square-foot space envelops a 46-seat bar area and a dining room for up to 120. Abundant greenery brings the outside in, to enchanted forest effect. It’s open for dinner four nights a week, and it’s exceedingly convenient for commuters passing through the transit hub across the street–provided you can nab a reservation.
Cocktails include classics like gimlets, sidecars and old fashioneds, plus seasonally-shifting libations. The French-leaning wine list is 650 bottles deep. And the bar menu includes yellowfin tuna tartare ($18), Maryland soft shell crab tempura ($21) and oysters Vanderbilt ($21).
Menu selections on Le Pavillon’s $125 three-course tasting include wood-fired octopus, citrus-cured fluke, roasted beets, Maine lobster, saffron-roasted cauliflower, and a côte de boeuf for two for an extra $20 per person.
Le Pavillon is located at One Vanderbilt Avenue and is open from Wednesday–Saturday from 5pm–9pm.