There’s a brand new vacation spot on the Decrease East Facet that’s much less about dinner and extra about full-body immersion. Pinky Swear, now open to the general public, isn’t only a restaurant—it’s a sensory playground the place edible artwork, surreal design, and high-concept cocktails collide. And on the coronary heart of its groundbreaking menu is culinary director Chef Will Horowitz, identified for his fearless mixtures, native sourcing, and dedication to storytelling by way of meals.

Billed as “a brand new world of perspective-pushing hyper-interactive artwork,” Pinky Swear is backed by a formidable roster of creators, together with South American hospitality group Grand Inns Lux, Grammy-nominated New Yorker Daniel Picciotto, and desk tennis professional turned nightlife entrepreneur Mark Croitoroo. Collectively, they’ve reworked the house right into a kinetic artwork set up—designed by interplay artist Nathan Roth, hospitality designer Jeanette Didon, and architect Sebastian Quinn—the place nothing feels off limits.

From light-reactive surfaces to generative artwork and interactive tokens, each sq. inch of Pinky Swear is programmed to evoke a response. And but, amid the chaos of shade and curiosity, Chef Horowitz’s menu stands out as one of many boldest components.

“We’re creating an immersive, hyper-creative expertise,” says Horowitz. “This isn’t only a restaurant with nice artwork, neither is it an artwork house that merely serves meals. It’s a real integration of each, designed to shock and delight at each flip.”

That intent is obvious in dishes like gelato topped with caviar or brisket burgers served with Cheez-Whiz. The restaurant’s fish pastrami and strawberries grown on Horowitz’s personal farm aren’t gimmicks—they’re extensions of a deeper philosophy: use nice elements, respect their origin, and rethink the foundations of presentation.

“In all honesty, I’ve by no means actually created something with the intent of shock worth,” he says. “My motivation is what will get me most excited to eat and share. My very own strains of what’s ‘regular’ to eat may be a bit blurred… which in all probability comes off as extra inventive than I truly am.”

The beverage menu, crafted by acclaimed mixologist Jon Nutter, is simply as daring. Company sip margaritas infused with all the pieces bagel syrup, espresso martinis laced with roasted marshmallows, and petite shot experiences just like the signature Pinky Promise. Every cocktail matches the immersive power of the house, mixing playful elements with critical mixology.

Horowitz, lengthy celebrated for his ties to native farmers and fishermen, brings that ethos into this avant-garde world with ease. “To cook dinner, for me, is to continually discover. I’ve by no means opened a restaurant that match neatly into one class. The purpose is to let curiosity take the wheel.”

That spirit additionally guides how Horowitz needs diners to really feel the second a dish hits the desk. “The job of a chef is to be a storyteller. I need individuals’s eyes to gentle up with pleasure and type a deeper connection—consciously or not—with the place their meals got here from.”

The problem of conserving the culinary expertise on the forefront—amid the laser-engraved artwork, magic mirrors, and high-tech installations—is one thing Horowitz doesn’t shrink back from.

“Being surrounded by so many inspiring artists amplifies the stress to create—but it surely additionally evokes,” he admits. “I do my finest to place all of it apart and devour myself within the passionate pursuit of taste and elements. And when that fails… there’s at all times psychedelics.”

I lately had an opportunity to dine at Pinky Swear for an epic date night time, and the vibes have been undoubtedly vibing. Chef Horowitz’s inventive menu blew me away, particularly the charbroiled oysters and the unforgettable caviar gelato. However my favourite needed to be the pastrami tile fish—an absolute must-try.
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Pinky Swear isn’t for the timid or the standard. It’s a high-concept collision of artwork, taste, and futuristic design, guided by a chef who views the kitchen as each a lab and a canvas. Whether or not you’re there for the all the pieces bagel margarita, the surrealist décor, or a style of one thing you’ve by no means imagined, one factor is obvious: Pinky Swear is redefining what eating out in New York Metropolis will be.