Opening Shot is a column that peeks inside new hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops with dreamy interiors.
THE GOLDEN SWAN
Location: West Village, New York
Designer: BWArchitects
On Offer: Landing in the two-story West Village townhouse that once was home to the infamous Spotted Pig, the Golden Swan is the latest venture from Neighborhood Projects founder Matthew Abramcyk, known for beloved local boîtes Smith & Mills, Tiny’s & the Bar Upstairs, and the Beatrice Inn. He gutted the gastropub to its bones and brought in chef Doug Brixton, who trained under Daniel Boulud before cooking up Tribeca’s Michelin-starred Bâtard. The pair partnered with BWArchitects on the new space, transforming it into a sumptuous, sun-filled destination for a New York take on French-Mediterranean cuisine.
Standout Features: Downstairs, across the gold-topped black wood bar and tucked within walls clad in Moroccan tile, the bistro-esque Wallace Room serves up Brixton’s version of bar food: salmon rillettes with house-made chips, Osetra caviar with gaufrette potatoes and french onion dip, and drinks like the Ashcan School (mezcal, red bitter, artichoke, amaro) and the signature, sweet-and-spicy Golden Swan Martini. Guest seeking a more refined experience can ascend a mirrored staircase to the main dining room, where banquettes and finishes in warm golden tones offer plush nest to enjoy Brixton’s Crescent Duck with caramelized figs or a chanterelle risotto with truffle jus while taking in views of the neighborhood Abramcyk has made home for his flock.
