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    Manuela

    3.8 (58 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Manuela Photos

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    MANUELA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Manuela

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    Half Chicken.  The best dish at the table.
    Carin R.

    Unfortunately, the experience did not fully live up to our expectations. I had noted in our reservation that we were celebrating birthdays, and also mentioned this to the host upon arrival. However, this information never made it to our server. The food was mixed overall. My friend sent her dish back as the duck was undercooked and to tough to eat when brought back out. The scallops with salsa verde lacked flavor. The standout dish at our table was the half chicken, which was excellent and we were told had just returned to the menu. When it came to ordering dessert we ordered the cookie dough fondant. I laughed when the waiter brought it and asked where were the candles and he said no one told him. He did make up for it and brought a complimentary dessert with two candles. The restaurant itself is quite impressive, with a grand atmosphere and a variety of seating options suitable for both large groups and more intimate dining experiences.

    Scallop
    Wendy B.

    Wacky cute fun spot in Soho. It's huge. Mushroom Pasta & Chicken was my favorite! Wish the potato is crispier, just a little.

    Cream biscuits with country ham and butter
    Josephine L.

    Not gonna lie: Even though I'd done my research, I still half-expected Gene Wilder to start singing about pure imagination when I walked into Manuela and saw the gorgeous rainbow mushroom chandelier. It felt like I had stepped into a candy wonderland designed by ex-EDC ravers. But it wasn't a world of sweets, it was just Manuela being a colorful Art Basel of a restaurant. Fortunately, the five-star visuals of this beautiful new outpost from LA are matched by the five-star flavors of their (albeit pricey) farm-to-table, locavorian dishes. - Cream biscuits with country ham and butter: Rich, buttery and flakey to the point of embarrassment (wear a bib if you're clumsy). The fact that they arrived piping hot only added to the delicious decadence. - Atlantic tuna carpaccio with pickled chanterelles, salsa verde and mint: I adore all things crudo and carpaccio, but this might be the first time I've had such a dish with PICKLED mushrooms. It was divine, and I was left wondering why no other chef has thought to do this. - Dry aged beef tartare with Calabrian chilli, garlic aioli and toast: At first glance, this looked like a plainer tartare than recent ones I've had, but there's something comforting about a back-to-basics approach that lets the naturally rich flavor of the beef shine on its own. The light touch of chili was just right for a bit of flavor enhancement, and the buttery toast was perfect to sop up remnants. - Heirloom tomatoes with sungolds, garlic chives and thyme vinaigrette: As a diehard tomato lover, I've not come across an heirloom tomato salad I didn't like, but Manuela's has to be one of my favorites in recent years. Not mentioned on the menu is that the tomatoes like on a bed of sumptuous, freshly made, basil paste, which just makes them taste even better. - Pan-seared Maine halibut with summer squash and bouillabaisse: Halibut is one of the harder fish to sear just right, in my experience, but the team here did it perfectly. The bouillabaisse sauce was perfectly seafood-y without being too briny, while the paper-thin slices of squash were crunchy satisfaction. My only quibble is that the halibut and sauce were lukewarm, while the squash was piping hot. - Romano and yellow bean panzanella: Threw this in because I can't resist a crunchy long bean dish. The beans were perfectly julienned, and the dressing was tart without being overwhelming--a rare feat, in my experience - Fig bakewell with creme fraiche: We decided to spend our remaining calories on this scrumptious tart, and I have no regrets. It had a moist, caky texture with tons of fresh figs, and the crust was buttery perfection. For libations, we opted for the gingery and zesty RX Spritz, as well as the green juice perfection of Doctors Orders. If you're torn on which to choose, go for Doctors Orders--you'd have to be born without a tongue not to like this. And yes, prices are steep, on par with most upscale Manhattan restaurants that are nice enough to impress your i-banker Tinder date on your 6-month anniversary. However, for once, I'm not griping about the dent in my wallet because I actually felt the near-perfect quality of each dish justified the cost. At the very least, I'm already planning my return visit to Manuela, and I can't remember the last time a ~$100-dinner had me doing that.

    Bar area

    Amazing little gem. Long Island Fluke was amazing. So bright and flavorful. Paired with a nice glass of prosecco! Perfect!

    Cream biscuits
    Clara S.

    After seeing the beautiful interior in this restaurant, we decided to do a cute girls night sesh in Manuela. The interior is stunning, but we were disappointed that the back tables didn't have a view of the colorful mushroom-shaped tree interior. I'd suggest sitting at the bar if you want to come here for the vibes. Service was... not the best. I felt like the hostesses in the front were lowkey rude? Not too sure why I wasn't seated right away when I was on time and there the restaurant was pretty much empty. They didn't even bother to come get us to get seated (which they told us they would do), and we had to go up to the front to ask to be seated. As for the food/drinks: - Cream biscuit: 100000/10 (some of the best bread I've had in a restaurant this year! Tbh I'll come here just for this... it was mouthwateringly buttery and soft and just... plz try this) - Fluke crudo: 8/10 (interesting combo of fluke and mushrooms) - Scallops: 10/10 (great scallops that comes with corn salad) - Potatoes: 10/10 (sooo glad we got the potatoes! Loved the crispy tater tots + spicy mayo dipping sauce) - Cocktails (hot spell): 8/10 (decent but superrrrr spicy!!) Overall, I'd def come and sit at the bar for the cream biscuits.

    Truffle egg toast with caviar.
    Lesli B.

    I recently had Sunday brunch at Manuela upon the recommendation of a friend. It was so tasty! The food was amazing! I had the pancakes with crispy bacon on the side and my friend had the truffle egg toast with caviar. Both were decadent and delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant is Art gallery (with notable artists) meets open kitchen restaurant. I found the service friendly but not obtrusive. All around perfect SoHo Brunch experience!

    Pan seared Maine halibut with summer squash and bouillabaisse, Wild mushroom tagliatelle and Grilled broccoli.
    Angel C.

    10/10 Would Recommend The ambiance was amazing from the moment we walked in. The floor manager (Dave), made us feel welcomed as soon as we got to the table. Our server Nahume, was very attentive considering how busy it was that night. The food was incredible and well paced. The Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle was one of the best dishes we've ever had. Will definitely be back with more appetite. Only disappointment was not having enough room in our bellies for more food. Glad we took leftovers home; best midnight snack ever. Looking forward to our next visit.

    Bar area
    Paul W.

    Great food and service. The atmosphere is amazing. The art on the walls sets this place apart.

    Chicken w/white bbq sauce and lemon
    Koriey H.

    Had the pleasure of dining here with friends for a birthday dinner. Upon walking in I was in awe of the bright lights, quirky furniture and beautiful people. Think of a very trendy reso in the middle of the most popping place in NYC--it was a movie. Absolutely want to give props to the playlist with a flow of Solange, Tupac and even some Acid Jazz. The music was top tier. Now on to the food which was DELICIOUS. I can appreciate a nicely curated menu and this spot didn't disappoint. -Chicken in the white bbq sauce was chefs kiss. Skin was perfectly crisp and the chicken was moist...don't forgot to squeeze that lemon on top. -Cream Biscuits served with a butter and ham was the Beyoncé of the night. These biscuits were made with love and layered with goodness. So good we ordered another round for the table. -The roasted cauliflower and potatoes were the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. The date vinegar on the cauliflower was insanely good. I also had a chance to taste the Sunchokes side and was blown away...def cop! -the Crudo and Albacore dip were underwhelming -drinks also underwhelming. I had the Bohemian Boulevard and La Pera Loca Service was top notch from the host to the runners. I was extremely impressed with the table service (pre bussing, resetting, water service). Also the fine dining touches didn't go unnoticed (folding the napkins when the guest leave, coat check and food wrap-up pick up at the end of service) and I appreciated that as well. FYI the place is a little pricey but in my opinion I believe it's worth every dime. I'll be back.

    Michelle K.

    This place is such a quirky and eclectic place / restaurant / gallery experience! It's especially fun to people watch since everyone has such interesting outfits. The food also was great in my opinion! It's definitely pricier than I'd like -- considering beans are more than $20. But. I loved the beans haha. And the duck, pork, and cabbage were great as well.

    Front of the restaurant
    Katarina K.

    Hauser & Wirth gallery opened their second NYC restaurant after their success in LA, and it truly feels like dining in an art gallery. The beautiful bar features artwork by Mika Rottenberg, and you can also spot Louise Bourgeois' iconic spider sculpture. With an open kitchen and rooms filled with art, you know that this place feels truly special. I loved sitting near the bar and open kitchen to catch all the action. Service was attentive but never intrusive. They gave us plenty of time to chat and decide on the menu without feeling rushed. We really appreciated that, esp given that we are in nyc. Overall, the food was solid, with the biscuits being surprisingly good- warm and crispy on the outside. We all enjoyed the chicken. The flavorful oyster mushrooms were a standout even among the carnivores. PS. The unisex bathrooms downstairs have a friendly attendant.

    My dining companion, Carole Pope.
    Glenn B.

    My gal pal the singer Carole Pope suggested we dine at the NYC outpost of Manuela after we enjoyed an enchanting brunch in the LA version's garden last year. This being NYC and over-commercialized Soho, instead of an enchanting garden, there were two cavernous rooms filled with blue-chip art: a Cindy Sherman photo here, a Philip Guston painting there. One of Louise Bourgeois's famous spiders seems poised to jump on you as you descend to the bathrooms, which are outfitted with bright Louboutin-red toilets. The restaurant's art draws an art-world crowd, and you can't swing a starving artist without hitting a quasi-notable art dealer chowing down on the $42 BBQ chicken. We were greeted warmly and led past the psychedelic mushroom forest of the bar area into the main room. It's strangely not difficult to get a reservation here, perhaps because the menu doesn't exactly cater to foodie Instagrammers chasing their next avalanche of Likes. That said, I thought the food was excellent. We shared the cream biscuits with ham and absolutely heavenly butter--a fan-favorite staple from the LA location--and also the butterball potatoes with dill onions and crème fraiche, and the broccoli rabe with tonnato and red chili. I ordered the soft-shell crab special which came in an absolutely divoon Thai-basil sauce--or something along those lines--and washed it down with two rather expensive martinis ($25.50 each). The decor is quite impressive, with vibrantly colored tables designed by the artist Mary Heilmann, whom I knew from the Soho art world in the '90s, and they made me feel a bit wistful. Manuela seems to aspire to what the Odeon was in the '80s, with artists, dealers and Jay McInerney table-hopping furiously, except with the added bonus of art--so you can avert your gaze in case a chattering, coked-out art collector lands at your table.

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    Amazing service. The beef tartare was the best we have ever had. Really!! Love the atmosphere. Highly recommend.

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    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (116 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

    Photos
    View of the bar
    View of the bar
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

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    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

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    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Smoked chicken croquettes
    Attaboy

    Attaboy

    4.1
    (874 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Have I found a new favorite bar?! I've heard nothing but good things about this place, and it still…read moreexceeded my expectations. The vibe is super chill, fun, and welcoming. The concept is simple: tell the bartenders what type of liquor and flavors you enjoy, and they create a custom cocktail just for you. I think it helps to go in with a few ideas, but if you give them some creative freedom, they can really surprise you. I honestly cannot remember all the ingredients in my drinks, but I do remember loving every sip. Such a unique spot and a fun experience. Definitely small inside so you may have to wait awhile. I only wish I lived closer!

    Attaboy has my heart and soul, especially after crafting, curating and creating my dream drink that…read morewill live forever in the memory of my taste buds unable to be erased from my brain's footprints. Our friends raved about this place and we of course were excited (and a bit skeptical at first) to try it. The concept: no menu + no lights + a few questions = the ultimate cocktail experience. The speakeasy vibe and the dark ambiance really makes this place feel even more exclusive. With just a few tables and the bar setting, you're in for an experience you won't forget (unless you answer the wrong questions and really end up with a drink you don't like HA). This wasn't my case. Of course I described my two favorite things: Negroni + mezcal. The obvious answer would be a mezcal Negroni, but that's not why one comes to a place like Attaboy. Our amazing curator came by to ask us all a few questions, write down a few words in the napkins, and mix up the perfect drink that our master bartender crafts, curates and creates. My drink came as I couldn't possibly imagine. It looked like a Negroni smelled like Oaxaca, with all the smoke simmering up and preparing my sensory experience, leading to the best first sip. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to The Devil's Backbone. A perfectly balanced drink I'll never forget, one that is sipped slowly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's sexy, it's smoky it's sipped. Attaboy gave the best mixology experience and we can't wait to be back. Pro tip: be sure to be as vocal as possible, even with ice, so you don't end up with a tiki drink if that's not your vibe.

    Photos
    Small space but good vibes
    Small space but good vibes
    Paper plane
    Paper plane
    Interior bar seat

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    Interior bar seat
    Apotheke

    Apotheke

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    Apotheke was one of my first experiences with a hidden speakeasy a number of years ago, and it…read morestill remains the OG in my vast encyclopedia of experiences. :) Strolling down Chinatown's busy and gritty Doyers Street, looking for any sign of Apotheke is a fond memory, then finally figuring out where it was, and entering through the mysterious and otherworldly threshold resulted a transformative experience that made me feel like I time traveled. Mood lighting, comfortable seating, great drinks in a cozy and Victorian-inspired space are the perfect blend of unique and. I always felt like I was part of something special the few times enjoyed creative, delicious, and strong libations from the pros at the bar. While it has always been pricey, I do feel like the excellent service ambiance, and drink quality warrant this, but may prevent more folks from becoming regulars so to speak. I love the clever and compact bathroom design, too. IYKYK Long live Apotheke!

    Fifteen years later and Apotheke is still one of my favorites!…read more You will walk past this hidden speakeasy several times before finding it. I could tell you to look for the blue beaker sign that says "Chemist" but the better tell is the random guy sitting on a stool outside. He'll be the only person on the street, so no worries about missing him! The menu has changed over the years, but the quality has not. The bartenders are social and personable. And the prices are in line for the area. My bestie and I loved the vibe. One of the best speakeasies she's had the pleasure of experiencing. Don't miss out on this place!

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Live Band
    Live Band
    Beautiful bar

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    Beautiful bar

    Manuela - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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