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.
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.”
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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This is great news! I remember when this was a depressing check-cashing business. What a lovely and, hopefully, lively transformation.
1991 Bordello decor. A surreal david lynch scene should be filmed in there.
I’ve been watching them decorate but didn’t realize Imperioli was involved. Cool plot twist! Hopefully an exciting addition to the neighborhood
I remember in the 1980s when this was a music club. Can’t recall the name.
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!
We need a good cocktail lounge!!
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.
Agreed on Jeremy. Great guy, great asset to the neighborhood!
I miss Dave’s Check Cashing.
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!
,😃❤️
Hilarious. Was that the most depressing place or what? 🙂
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..
When you’re experiencing unbankedness, you appreciate Dave’s.
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!
😂
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
Much classier joint that Bada Bing!
Classy is not the word I would use when describing what looks like a 1900’s house of pleasures …
Went there last night, so cool. Highly highly recommend and also delicious.
How do I get a reservation? I can’t find a phone number or website anywhere!
Do they cash checks?
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.
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/
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.
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.