Saxon + Parole Adds Seafood Spot With a Dedicated Rosé Room in the Basement

The team at AvroKO Hospitality — the design firm behind New York City spots Saxon + Parole and now-closed Public restaurant — has opened a seafood and rosé-focused restaurant in Noho.

Called the Poni Room, the new restaurant is billed as an “American izakaya” that goes heavy on rosé wine. It opens tonight underneath Saxon + Parole at 316 Bowery, where AvroKo also runs mezcal bar Ghost Donkey next door.

Saxon + Parole chefs Brad Farmerie and Nicole Gajadhar are behind the menu at the Poni Room, which revolves around small pan-Asian plates like uni toast, coconut laksa, and salmon tartare. Scallop, octopus, prawn, and tuna skewers are also on offer, plus a couple of large plates. Diners can also order an izakaya tasting platter with several dishes for $50. See the menu in full below.

The brand wants rosé is a big focus here, though so far, a list of just six wines span from California to France, with some local New York options, too. A boozy rosé slushie, rosé cocktails, and Asian beers are also available.

It’s a 36-seat space with table service, but instead of a regular bar, the restaurant will have something called a “beverage room,” described by a spokesperson as a tiny room in the back of the space with bottles of rosé on display. Though diners can order drinks from the table, especially indecisive ones can go to this room to physically see the drinks and have a bartender help them make the choice — and probably take an Instagram photo.

AvroKo opened Saxon + Parole in 2011, and although critics didn’t immediately embrace the spot, it was a hit with downtown diners. In 2016, AvroKo added mezcal and tequila bar Ghost Donkey to a space attached to Saxon + Parole that was previously gin-focused bar Madam Geneva.

The Poni Room will be open Tuesday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.