Stephen Starr’s Latest Is a Grand European-Style Brasserie in a Sleek New Museum

Hit restaurateur Stephen Starr today debuts his newest New York City restaurant. Verōnika — inside new Gramercy photography museum Fotografiska at 281 Park Avenue South at 22nd Street — is a lushly decorated, high-ceilinged restaurant inspired by grand European cafes.

Chef Robert Aikens (the Rainbow Room) has created a menu that pulls influence from France, Vienna, and eastern Europe, hitting on rich nostalgic classics such as veal schnitzel, potato pierogies with caviar, beef stroganoff, and lamb goulash.

The 146-seat space is a major calling card here, designed by expensive firm Roman and Williams — known for rich textures and fabrics. Underneath 20-foot ceilings with cornices and archways, there are brass chandeliers, velvet blue banquettes, large leather chairs, and rotating framed photographs.

This is Stephen Starr’s tenth restaurant in the city after Buddakan, Upland, Le Coucou, and others, though it’s his first collaboration with Fotografiska, a global photography museum that started in Stockholm. It’s moved into a landmarked space in NYC, taking up 45,000 square feet over three floors for photo exhibitions, a private event area, café, Verōnika, and an adjoining bar also from Stephen Starr.

Veronika is open daily at 5 p.m., until 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.