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Serious Business: Michael Imperioli Opening New Lounge on UWS on Tuesday, December 5th

December 5, 2023 | 10:47 AM - Updated on December 6, 2023 | 7:06 AM
in NEWS
26
Michael Imperioli, courtesy of Scarlet.

By Lisa Kava

Scarlet, a new cocktail lounge sitting flush against Fred’s on Amsterdam Avenue and West 83rd Street, is a joint venture between actor Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos and White Lotus), Imperioli’s wife Victoria, and restaurateur Jeremy Wladis (Fred’s, Good Enough to Eat, and others).

Victoria Imperioli was responsible for the interior design of the lounge, which features red velvet curtains and furnishings, as well as soft lighting. The design is meant to be “warm and intimate, focusing on French wartime design and red hues which give the space its name,” a representative from the restaurant emailed West Side Rag.

Kenna Wladis (Jeremy’s daughter), Michael Imperioli, Jeremy Wladis, Victoria Imperioli.

The cocktail menu by Matt Burkhardt includes “cutting-edge, original drinks like ‘The White Lotus’ – clarified punch of Don Q Cristal Rum, pineapple, yuzu, coconut sugar, and champagne – and the ‘Pisco Pink Panther,’ featuring pisco, raspberry Disaronno Amaretto, orgeat, lemon, and rosewater, alongside classics like the ‘French 75,’” the rep said.

A food menu includes bites such as “‘Lollipop Lamb Chops Au Jus’ with basil pistou, and ‘Foie Gras Torchon’ with vanilla-infused honey, pomegranate glaze, and brioche toast.”

Photo by Lisa Kava.

Scarlet will open daily at 5 p.m. Hours will run until 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; until to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 p.m. on Sundays. The space was formerly Zai Dessertery, which closed in October 2022. Prior to that it was David’s Check Cashing.

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26 Comments
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Steen
Steen
1 year ago

This is great news! I remember when this was a depressing check-cashing business. What a lovely and, hopefully, lively transformation.

26
Reply
Steve
Steve
1 year ago

1991 Bordello decor. A surreal david lynch scene should be filmed in there.

15
Reply
Liz G
Liz G
1 year ago

I’ve been watching them decorate but didn’t realize Imperioli was involved. Cool plot twist! Hopefully an exciting addition to the neighborhood

9
Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 year ago

I remember in the 1980s when this was a music club. Can’t recall the name.

2
Reply
Suzanne R.
Suzanne R.
1 year ago

Great news! I’m a long time acquaintance of Jeremy Wladis. He is who is one of the hardest working people I know and very dedicated to the quality of, and customer care, associated with any restaurant in which he is involved. He frequently visits them making sure his customers are happy.

Go and support this new venture!

14
Reply
marie ames
marie ames
1 year ago
Reply to  Suzanne R.

We need a good cocktail lounge!!

3
Reply
Josephus F
Josephus F
1 year ago
Reply to  Suzanne R.

Don’t know Jeremy personally, but the service at Good Enough is surly and perfunctory these days. And I’ve been going there since it first opened in the 1980s. If Jeremy is keen on providing a great experience at his restaurants, he needs to fix that.

5
Reply
Ish Kabibble
Ish Kabibble
1 year ago
Reply to  Suzanne R.

Agreed on Jeremy. Great guy, great asset to the neighborhood!

4
Reply
Sal Bando
Sal Bando
1 year ago

I miss Dave’s Check Cashing.

18
Reply
Dave's Buddy
Dave's Buddy
1 year ago
Reply to  Sal Bando

I remember having to get a cashiers check (or whatever) at Dave’s when I rented my first UWS apt on 81st street and being helped by a wonderfully unfriendly and completely devoid of emotion employee on the other side of thick glass. The entire process maid me 2nd guess if I had made the right decision on moving there. Memories like that can be replaced and I’m deeply sadden by the loss of such a profoundly sketchy place. God’s speed Dave!

4
Reply
BornNYC
BornNYC
1 year ago
Reply to  Sal Bando

,😃❤️

2
Reply
Pat Green
Pat Green
1 year ago
Reply to  Sal Bando

Hilarious. Was that the most depressing place or what? 🙂

3
Reply
BornNYC
BornNYC
1 year ago
Reply to  Pat Green

12% of our fellow new Yorkers don’t have enough money to qualify for bank accounts! Will the bus boys in this new restaurant even earn enough to open a bank account? We should ask ! NYC has become so segregated that too many people actually have no idea how difficult and expensive it is to function even working full time for low wages. Look around..

2
Reply
Sal Bando
Sal Bando
1 year ago
Reply to  Pat Green

When you’re experiencing unbankedness, you appreciate Dave’s.

13
Reply
Maria
Maria
1 year ago
Reply to  Sal Bando

Yep! Had to get a cash transfer every now and then from clients who were slow to pay but finally came through. Was grateful that Dave’s was there. Happy to hear about the new place, though!

5
Reply
twitter.com/che_junglecat
twitter.com/che_junglecat
1 year ago
Reply to  Pat Green

😂

0
Reply
David S
David S
1 year ago

Wonderful to hear about this, but not really a huge surprise. After all, Mr. Imperioli does have some experience with serving drinks 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDYKslnO0r0

0
Reply
ben
ben
1 year ago

Much classier joint that Bada Bing!

0
Reply
Gilbert
Gilbert
1 year ago
Reply to  ben

Classy is not the word I would use when describing what looks like a 1900’s house of pleasures …

1
Reply
UWS neighbor
UWS neighbor
1 year ago

Went there last night, so cool. Highly highly recommend and also delicious.

0
Reply
anne
anne
1 year ago
Reply to  UWS neighbor

How do I get a reservation? I can’t find a phone number or website anywhere!

0
Reply
OPOD
OPOD
1 year ago

Do they cash checks?

0
Reply
lorraine
lorraine
1 year ago

The “depressing” David’s check cashing business did and continues to offer a great service for thousands of neighbors who do not have bank accounts. Also paying Con Ed, and Verizon phone bills, excellent service. Low income seniors, low wage workers now have to take transportation to get to Davids other location. During this holiday season , in this great city of ours , prays for the many, many people who cannot afford the bare essentials.

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
1 year ago
Reply to  lorraine

You might want to do some research. As with nearly everything else in this city or state government regulation is killing off check cashing businesses.

Your dear governor signed off on laws reducing fees check cashing in NYS are allowed to charge. So guess what was the logical outcome?

When will people learn for profit businesses are just that; if they cannot earn decent money will simply close.

https://nypost.com/2023/03/28/ny-check-cashing-centers-sue-kathy-hochul-administration/

1
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
1 year ago

As a young actor starting out one of Mr. Michael Imperioli’s first jobs was working at Chez Josephine.

Mr. Imperioli does seem to have a love affair with UWS. Several years ago his wife and family moved to a lovely apartment in area, now this new venture.

Good for him and best of luck.

2
Reply
Annie
Annie
1 year ago
Reply to  B.B.

The place reminds me a bit of Chez Josephine, if the photos are anything to go by. I wish Mr. Imperioli all the best in his new venture.

1
Reply

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