Set in the heart of New York’s Soho neighborhood, on the corner of West Broadway and Prince Street, Principe is the area’s recently opened seafood-focused restaurant evoking Italian glamour in its entirety.
Inspired by New York City’s cosmopolitan style and the Italian coasts’ effortless opulence, the eatery, designed by Studio Vogelsang, melds both stylistic themes: natural concrete walls, wood trusses, mother-of-pearl accents, and lush expansive skylights allow natural light to illuminate the two-story space. Teal-shaded walls and gold-toned velvet banquets line the upstairs dining room, while a glittering custom-made Venetian glass chandelier centered around a cantilever staircase connects to the secluded downstairs dining area.
Executive Chef Abram Bissell — who’s held positions at prominent New York establishments, including The Modern, Eleven Madison Park, and The NoMad — partnered with entrepreneur Robert Goldman — founder of Bleecker Street Hospitality Group and Founding Partner of Saint Theo’s — to conceptualize Principe’s city-meets-Italian-coastline atmosphere. Next to its in-vogue interior design, the culinary menu is just as impressive.
Whispers of Italian flavorings are woven throughout each aesthetically plated seafood-forward dish. The menu begins with a curated raw bar featuring small bites: Oysters with fresh Meyer lemon, black pepper, and chives, as well as Scallops, served with pistachio and sorrel, to name a few. Pasta-wise, the Rock Shrimp Mafaldine with “sugo bianco” (or white sauce) transports tastebuds to a restaurant on the Italian coastline.
As for the main course, a Roasted Lobster comprising trout roe, tarragon sauce, and fries, or the Olive-Crusted Branzino topped with green onion and parsley, are delicious family-style options.
Saving room for dessert, the Brown Sugar Banana Cake, decorated with whipped yogurt and candied pineapple, is our definition of tasting “La Dolce Vita.” The Key Lime Ice Cream Sandwich or Fior di Latte gelato garnished with olive oil and black pepper are satisfying sweet treats, too.
After the decadent meal, we’re heading to the glitzy recessed bar for an Italiano cocktail. The Cucumber Limoncello Sour contains gin, limoncello, aloe liqueur, cucumber, egg white, and lemon as a zingy libation on the list. Other options include a selection of Negronis, beer, wine by the glass, and zero-proof cocktails as well. (One last thing: it’d be amiss not to mention the Principe Martini, mixed with vodka, marsala, dry vermouth, and an olive leaf.)
For a snazzy dinner out in Manhattan, we’re sure Principe’s opulent ambiance will do the trick.
Top Takeaways
Location: Soho, New York City
Address: 450 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Cuisine: Seafood
Price Point: $$$
Takes Reservations: Yes – Resy
The vibe: A glamorous seafood-forward Italian restaurant with an intimate cocktail bar and two intimate upstairs/downstairs dining rooms.
Our favorite thing on the menu: It’s a tie between the Rock Shrimp Mafaldine and the Brown Sugar Banana Cake. Dare we say both?
The attire based on the vibe: Smart casual
Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Dinner: Mondays & Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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