Seed Library NYC reveals opening menu
The second Seed Library bar from Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan, opened in New York last week (5 November) with a menu of old Lyan classics and new signatures.
The bar is located on the lower-ground floor of Hotel Park Ave NYC and is the first permanent bar in the city from Chetiyawardana, who has venues in London, Washington DC and Amsterdam.
Seed Library NYC aims to pay homage to the ‘timeless Manhattan bar’ and offer ‘an intimate escape from the chaos of the city’.
The venue is a collaboration between Mr Lyan, Lore Group, and Renwick Hospitality.
The menu features 17 cocktails, including a selection of Seed Library classics adapted with ‘iconic’ New York flavours. For instance, the C.R.E.A.M Margarita features Lalo Tequila, mezcal, passionfruit, cream ATOM, pickled chilli, and lime, while the London original is made with Don Julio Blanco, black plum, jasmine, ‘really good’ cream and Champagne.
The Coriander Seed Gimlet, originally made with Beefeater Gin and coriander seed cordial, has been augmented with white grape.
Signature serves for the new bar include the Shepherd’s Delight, which combines Renais Gin, Maker’s Mark, enzymed concord grape, raspberry, and lemon, while the Pear + Apple + Tonic Highball is made with Christian Drouin white calvados, pear brandy, and tonic water.
For a more spirit-forward option, the Irish Treacle is a riff on an Old Fashioned that blends Redbreast 12, kombu, cucumber, honey and fino Sherry.
Four of the signatures are available alcohol-free, such as the S&P Spritz, which is served with either Grey Goose Vodka or Seedlip Spice, alongside yellow bell pepper and strawberry aperitivo. The Thai Basil Soda can have a base of Belvedere Vodka or Seedlip Garden.
The list concludes with a selection of Lyan Classics, such as the Koji Hardshake from the now-closed Dandelyan. The serve is a riff on a Whisky Sour that features Johnnie Walker Black, miso, lemon, koji, and cream sugar.
Meanwhile, Ribs has been borrowed from the now-closed White Lyan, and combines Glenfiddich 15 with chipotle, mint, and rosewood.
Alongside the cocktail menu, Seed Library NYC will offer bar snacks created in collaboration with Renwick Hospitality. Highlights include cheese dip with whipped feta, salsa verde and crispy naan; and loaded tater tots with spicy herb aioli, pancetta and pecorino sardo.
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