Locanda Verde, Robert De Niro's new Italian restaurant, headed by chef Andrew Carmellini, will be set in the beautiful setting of Hudson Yards, a completely redeveloped corner of Manhattan that is now rich and prosperous. The restaurant's main goal is to have its guests eat within a relaxed space, isolated from the inordinate exclusivity of the Big Apple.
The news
The beating heart of Hudson Yards is set to welcome a new culinary gem. In November, Locanda Verde, one of Tribeca's best-loved Italian addresses, will open a second location in this vibrant area, bolstered by the backing of Robert De Niro, Eater New York announced. Fifteen years after the first restaurant opened, this new chapter is the result of a long-term vision nurtured by chef Andrew Carmellini, along with partners Luke Ostrom and Josh Pickard. The project, in which De Niro played a crucial role, took nearly four years of planning, and sees the celebrated actor committed to create a place for the local community, a space that was welcoming but without the exclusive air of the trendy clubs that are popping up all over town.
Located at 50 Hudson Yards, at the corner of Hudson Boulevard East and 34th Street, the new restaurant is on two levels and spans large spaces. The design, by Roman and Williams, is an homage to the warmth and elegance of mid-century modern, with the use of wood and neutral tones. The distinctive touch is the outdoor terrace, from which one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Hudson River, an element that promises to make Locanda Verde not only a restaurant but also a haven for relaxation in the city.
Carmellini points out that the concept of Hudson Yards is slightly different from the Tribeca original. If the historic one is proposed as a traditional-style restaurant, the new location has the soul of a “neighborhood tavern, ” a definition that immediately conveys the idea of a more informal and accessible environment, while maintaining the high quality that has made Locanda Verde a must for celebrities and foodies from all over the world. An evolution that also reflects a desire to move away from the overly exclusive atmospheres that often characterize other restaurants in the city.
The menu will be a tribute to the restaurant's roots, retaining some of the iconic dishes already beloved by regulars. These include the famous Sardinian sheep's ricotta starter, a small symphony of simple but perfectly balanced flavors, the roasted garlic chicken “AC”, which is a delight for both the palate and the senses, and Carmellini's famous grandmother's ravioli, a declaration of love to family cooking. New dishes and seasonal offerings will be added to these dishes, making the menu an ever-changing adventure for those who love to discover authentic and well-executed flavors. After all, Locanda Verde is already known for its cappelletti (in a thousand sauces), puttanesca, Venetian-style brodetto, burrata with a variety of toppings: everything that belongs to our regional tradition, proposed to foreign palates.
The choice to open in Hudson Yards is no accident. This part of Manhattan, once considered a construction site awaiting completion, has undergone an extraordinary transformation in recent years. Some of the biggest names in dining have already tried their luck here, such as Thomas Keller's TAK Room and David Chang's Kawi, but the pandemic has mowed down several ambitious projects. However, the landscape changed again with the arrival of big companies like Meta, Warner Bros, Discovery, and L'Oréal USA, which brought a new wave of life and opportunity. Today, Hudson Yards is not only a symbol of the rebirth of a part of New York City, but also a hub where culture, business and gastronomy intersect.
The new Locanda Verde aims to be an integral part of this ever-evolving mosaic. The location, with its two bars and open spaces, offers an experience that is both refined and welcoming, capable of satisfying both the most demanding palates and those simply looking for a corner to relax in after a hectic day. And all this without losing sight of the beating heart that has made the restaurant famous: an obsessive attention to detail and a passion for Italian cuisine that goes beyond passing fashion.
Hudson Yards is an ambitious project, and Locanda Verde seems destined to become an essential part of it. A place where the past and present of Italian gastronomy meet, and where even a simple serving of ricotta cheese can tell a story of flavors and traditions that span time.
