When renowned Brit Sir Terence Conran takes on a project, he doesn’t think small. Well, his presence has been felt. The chatter surrounding his behemoth Bridgemarket site, a conglomeration of a restaurant, food market and design shop, has been whirling about town for weeks now. (How could it not have been? It’s 26,000 square feet plinked down beneath the 59th Street Bridge?)

Now Conran and partner Joel Kissin have unveiled the final 4,000 square feet. Guastavino’s Bar, the pricier, posher, plusher upstairs addendum to the 300-seat brasserie below promises as much swank as any Upper East-Sider can stomach (Think Beluga caviar, an extensive list of crustacea and plenty of digestifs to cap it off).

Consider it icing on the cake. If, that is, you can afford cake when you get the bill.


Guastavino’s Bar, 409 E. 59th Street, at First Avenue (212-980-2455).