Glowing, moody interiors form the backdrop to Chelsea restaurant Al Coro, which makes the most of its arched space with flashes of chrome and dramatically lowered lighting.

Architecture firm MN designed the space, which was previously run by chef Mario Batali as Del Posto. It’s undergone some big changes since it closed in 2020, with its new owners Jeff Katz and chef Melissa Rodriguez, killing off what some described as its predecessor’s ‘New Jersey funeral home’ atmosphere through its interior reinvention.

What was once a staircase is now a backlit bar with a performance stage above it – a bold move that Eater calls a ‘virtually unheard of choice at this level of dining.’ It forms the luminous centrepiece of the 130-seater Manhattan restaurant, with eclipse-like spotlights illuminating the building’s arched columns. The look is completed by sumptuous, mossy suede dining chairs, tubular steel bar seats, and chrome table lights.

Chef Rodriguez’s ‘hyper seasonal’ menu for Al Coro is ever-changing, but patrons can expect a seven-course menu of regional Italian dishes, including small bites, pasta, and ‘a wave of sweets’.

Later this year, the Chelsea restaurant will also welcome a downstairs cocktail bar called Discolo.

85 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States

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