New York, NY — June 2025 — In a city that never sleeps, Aquarelle invites you to slow down and savor the moment while staying true to the vibrant spirit of New York dining. Opening this June at 47 Avenue B in Manhattan’s East Village, Aquarelle is a seafood bar and cocktail lounge designed for escape.

Bringing old New York Back, the kitchen is open to midnight six days a week, making it the destination you can always count on for some of the freshest seafood in town, a welcoming and friendly environment, and an elevated dining experience that revives the spirit of late-night Manhattan.

Created by global hospitality veterans Marcus Andrew and Baris Koroglu, Aquarelle brings back the magic of old New York — where kitchens stay open late, neighborhood spots feel like home, and diners can always count on an honest, elevated experience.

Aquarelle evokes the charm of coastal Europe with ocean-fresh seafood, botanical-forward cocktails, and an atmosphere so inviting it feels like a vacation in the heart of the city. The space glows with soft marine hues, natural textures, and candlelight, creating a downtown refuge with a Mediterranean soul and unmistakable New York energy.

“We wanted to create a place that feels timeless — where great food, music, and hospitality come together naturally, without pretense,” says Baris Koroglu. “Aquarelle is about simplicity, generosity, and bringing people together — the way New York used to do so well.”

“Aquarelle is my love letter to this neighborhood,” says Marcus Andrew. “It’s about restoring that sense of belonging — a place where locals and visitors can come late, eat well, connect, and feel like part of something again.”

Aquarelle’s kitchen is open until midnight six nights a week, with extended late-night dining hours on Saturdays, making it a dependable destination for fresh seafood, great cocktails, and that unmistakable New York spirit that welcomes spontaneity. Beginning at around 11 PM, the mood transforms: the lights dim, music swells, and guests are transported to the carefree rhythm of St. Bart’s or Ibiza — invited to dance, linger, and escape into a spontaneous holiday.

The summer menu, curated by Koroglu, celebrates the ocean’s bounty with vibrant seasonal flavors. Highlights include:

Fluke crudo with blood orange and fennel pollen
Scallop piri piri with shiso leaf and charred lime
Octopus carpaccio with smoked paprika oil and finger lime
Summer lobster pasta with heirloom tomatoes and basil
Branzino with Meyer lemon and capers
Salt-baked Red Snapper with wild herbs and olive oil
Champagne & Caviar sampling experience
Royal Seafood Tower, layered with oysters, clams, mussels, lobster, ceviches, and king crab

Aquarelle’s interactive seafood bar invites guests to select their catch of the day, prepared simply, letting the ingredients shine. Everything is sourced with care: produce from Marcus’s Long Island farm and seafood flown in from Maine and Montauk, delivered several times a week.

The botanical cocktail program pairs perfectly with the menu: yuzu-thyme gin spritzes, elderflower negronis, and lavender sea salt martinis crafted for slow sipping and lively conversation.

Despite its elegance, Aquarelle is a warm, welcoming space — a neighborhood staple in the making, where New York can once again count on elevated dining, open late, with hospitality that feels personal, present, and real.

Marcus Andrew and Baris Koroglu by Nadja Sayej

About Baris Koroglu – Founder / Creative Director

Born in Cappadocia, Turkey — a historic region in central Anatolia known for its unique rock formations, underground cities, and ancient cave dwellings that were once home to the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians — Baris Koroglu’s roots are as rich and layered as his culinary vision. He began working in his family’s restaurant kitchen at just 13 and later trained in top European kitchens, bringing a refined global perspective to his craft.

Baris brings over two decades of experience in hospitality, nightlife, and the culinary arts. In 2019, he co-founded The Lullaby, an immersive nightlife concept that blends music, art, and culture. As Promotional Director at Paradise Club and a partner in VirgoPresent, he helped shape New York City’s nightlife landscape. He later collaborated with Carmelo Anthony at 9 Jones, further solidifying his reputation as a tastemaker.

With Aquarelle, Baris fuses food, design, and experience into a destination that feels as timeless as it is new — a true reflection of his heritage and creative vision. He remains a dedicated philanthropist, working to protect and preserve Cappadocia’s historical treasures and his family’s legacy.

Marcus Andrew – Building Proprietor/ Creator

Of Egyptian descent, Marcus Andrew came to New York City to study architecture and discovered his true passion in hospitality. Seeing a void in the city’s dining scene, he introduced delicacy and warmth with the launch of Le Souk, an iconic destination that defined experiential dining and nightlife for over 25 years. He went on to open Lamia Fish Market, and now, in that same cherished location, Aquarelle is launching. Marcus is known for creating restaurants that become neighborhood institutions, celebrated for fostering community, connection, and a sense of belonging.

For more information:

https://aquarellenyc.com