The space that once housed the dark, exotic eatery Hurricane Club has had its windows thrown wide open with its new inhabitant General Assembly, which opened last week. Where once there were bone sculptures there are now white-washed walls and romantic votive candles; design firm AvroKo—who were also behind the Hurricane Club design—played with a wholly different aesthetic here, trading in the light for the dark. The tiki theme has disappeared from the food as well, thanks to partners Chef Craig Koketsu and restaurateur Michael Stillman, who are aiming for a gimmick-free menu of seasonal European fare.
Start with the Raclette Service ($22), a bubbling crock of melted cheese accompanied by pickled veggies and charcuterie for scooping; on the lighter side, try the Roasted Beets ($15) with ginger-lime yogurt or a platter of crudite with a choice of dips like smoked tomato-white bean and red quinoa. Entrees include an on trend Fried Skate ($25) served with pickles, a veg-friendly Spinach Linguine ($21) with cauliflower and baby tomatoes and a Rabbit Wellington ($26) served alongside peas and carrots. They're also firing off three cuts of steak including an Emporia Farms Grass-Fed Filet Mignon ($35) and a steak-for-two dry-aged sirloin ($78) with decadent blue cheese-creamed spinach.
Cocktails ($14) including a house-infused mango vodka with clarified lemon and oak ("California Chardonnay") and a rum, carrot, ginger and lime concoction dubbed "Strictly Roots" come from head barman and Clover Club alum Bryan Schneider. Beer geeks are going to love the selection, which includes 20 true (except for the Budweiser) craft beers organized by Easy, Farm and Serious. Try the wonderfully named Blithering Idiot ($10) barley wine from Weyerbacker Brewing or the more mellow Iron City Light ($7) from Pittsburgh Brewing Co.
360 Park Avenue South, 212-951-7111; generalassemblyrestaurant.com
