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A Manhattan Restaurant Transports Patrons to Tuscany

Warm interiors with soft natural light, a menu of authentic Italian staples, and a colossal watercolor work in the dining room create a serene atmosphere at Felice 56.

Opening Shot is a column that peeks inside new hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops with interiors to drool over.

Name: Felice 56

DesignerStudio Robert McKinley

Location: New York City

On Offer: Housed inside Midtown’s Chambers Hotel, the bi-level restaurant is a respite from the neighborhood’s hurried energy. A skylight atop the soaring ceiling allows natural sunshine to pour into the cavernous environs, which McKinley filled with lush plants, handwoven Moroccan rugs, and oversize mirrors. Overlooking the dining room is an aperitivo bar and cocktail lounge, along with a coffee counter with house-made pastries and panini tartufati to-go.

Standout Features: A soaring watercolor by Italian painter Fiona Cosini di San Giuliano welcomes patrons into the subterranean dining room, where oiled woods, lime-washed finishes, and exposed concrete evoke the Tuscan countryside. The authentic cooking is just as transporting: Executive chef Adrian Kercuku serves up a satisfyingly simple menu of Italian classics— Pappardelle alla Chiantigiana, Cacio e Pepe—with ingredients sourced from Italy.

(Photos by Nicole Franzen)

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