Michael Schulson has another hit! I had the opportunity of dining at the newest addition to his burgeoning empire, Double Knot. WOW!  It was a fantastic culinary experience and the incredible interior design by Rohe Creative made it hard to leave.

Located in Midtown Village at 120 S. 13th St. the entrance is hard to find but its sandwiched between Sampan and Springboard Media. The beautiful, large wood door is a hint of what you’re about to encounter inside. Kate Rohrer did a phenomenal job with the design. Exposed brick, soft lighting, distressed mirrors and reclaimed wood gives the space the look of an industrial library! The vestibule  greets you with a few leather armchairs placed in front of a floor to ceiling shelf holding interesting knickknack and newspapers.

 

The bar on the 1st floor will open at 7am to serve Elixir coffee and espresso from the gorgeous  Modbar Espresso system. One of only 10 installations in the country, these taps are works of art. No judgement here, but if you need a special jolt in your coffee from the liquor cabinet, the baristas will oblige! In the late afternoon, stools come out and the coffee bar turns into a cocktail bar.

If you’re one of the lucky few with reservations, there’s a hidden staircase that will take you to your table. The sushi bar, directed by chef Kevin Yanaga, is located in the dining room. The menu has a mouth watering selection of izakaya and robatayaki. I suggest ordering the Chef’s Selection. You’ll get a great sampling of the entire menu! You don’t have to be a sushi lover to enjoy the food. The Edamame dumplings were pillowy soft and set in a broth of sake, pea shoot and truffle. Another favorite were the Tempura Shrimp tacos with radish, avocado and a dash of chili. The buttery Broiled Seabass will have you licking the plate. Finally, the Rib Eye, is a real winner. My only complaint was the Crab Claw, the minuscule serving size was disappointing but it was delicious nonetheless. If you’re craving sushi, I encourage you to have the Salmon Avocado roll and the Scallops robatayaki were top notch!

Finally, the cocktails…..every drink preparation is a production! You won’t be disappointed if you eat at the bar because just watching the friendly bartenders create is entertaining enough!  I love bourbon so I tried the delicious Gripping Hitch made with Demerara syrup, orange bitters, chocolate bitters and topped with a maple foam. Also, the Grantchester Knot made with Reposado and orange cognac is another good choice. You can’t dine here without having their signature cocktail which is a version of the iconic Manhattan, the Double Knot. Made with smoked cloves, bourbon and barrel rye, it’s certainly a treat! Make a reservation and treat yourself!