Ambra, A New Italian Dining Room Led by Chef John DeLucie, Joins Hudson Street Landscape
by Kaia Harley
A new localized restaurant offering modernized light Italian fare consisting of an intimate 75 person dining room is set to open in the West Village at Hudson and 11th Street, featuring notable chef John DeLucie. Joining the landscape of the historic Greenwich Village, the highly anticipated Ambra will offer the newest dining destination in the ever evolving neighborhood.
At first glance, the room evokes an old-school Italian feel combined with the aesthetic of downtown New York, in a warm and inviting setting built for a conversational meal. Their sidewalk patio looks to be a great extension for those looking for a scenic neighborhood meal. Sure to be a new locale spot, their menu features homemade pastas and pizzas, fish and meats, a variety of vegan and vegetarian friendly dishes, an extensive antipasto menu and authentic Italian desserts.
The restaurant was designed by Legeard Studio (KYU, La Grande Boucherie) with the goal for Ambra’s interior design was to draw influence from its namesake, with amber hues present throughout the space. The designer also incorporated Italian influence while keeping the integrity of downtown New York City, with a wood centric design focused on “classic quality, minimalism and comfort.” The restaurant features oversized front and side glass windows, standard for the Hudson Street aesthetic, which frame the picturesque West Village neighborhood Ambra now calls home.
Ambra’s Executive Chef is John DeLucie, a native New Yorker of Italian descent. DeLucie has been a known chef on the scene for the last two decades. He recently partnered with HGU New York to open the hotel’s flagship Italian Osteria. Lumaca. Most notably to his downtown audience, DeLucie along with partner Graydon Carter were the duo behind hotspot The Waverly Inn, a once impossible reservation to get, focused on American Cuisine, with an endless A-list clientele.
DeLucie was also behind the acclaimed restaurant, The Lion, a regular hotspot that downtown New Yorker’s frequented pre-pandemic, known for an exclusive scene and incredible food.
Today, DeLucie’s style remains as distinctively simple as it is universally praised, and he is focused on bringing his Italian roots to Ambra, aimed to create the perfect Italian locale in the heart of Greenwich Village, and continue to contribute to the evolving neighborhood landscape. Ambra takes residence at the corner of Hudson and 11th Street, where the iconic White Horse Tavern has maintained itself as a historic West Village landmark restaurant and bar since 1880.
Ambra Dinner Menu highlights include Antipasti such as Crispy Artichokes with Lemon Aioli, Arugula and Fennel Salad, Fluke Crudo, Whipped Mortadella Pistachio Pugliese Bread, and an extensive Pizza menu featuring freshly made pizzas such as Robiola with White Truffle, Rosso Tomato and Chili, and Soppressata with Hot Honey.
Handmade pastas DeLucie notes will be the main focus, which will all be made in-house, such as Tonnarelli Spaghetti, Pappardelle Braised Short Rib Ragù, Rigatoni Eggplant, Tomato and Ricotta Salata, Gnocchi Alla Vodka, Spicy Lobster Spaghetti, Gnudi Brown Butter Sage. Mains inclusive of Branzino Acqua Pazza, Tagliata Di Manzo New York Strip, Pollo Al Mattone, Cotoletta Veal Chop, and Salmone Alla Griglia, plus a list of palatable sides and decadent desserts.
“I am always thrilled to reconnect with cooking the food of my heritage, especially when I can partner with serious restaurateurs, and being in the West Village is home for me, as I lived in the West Village for twenty years, so it is a true homecoming” – Notes Chef John DeLucie
Further adds Chef DeLucie, “The menu is an opportunity for me to cook my absolute favorite foods, aiming to excite our patrons, offering homemade pastas, and share them with our community in New York, which as a chef, is a privilege.”
DeLucie’s long resume also includes the Ainslie, Cafeteria Group’s iconic Empire Diner in Chelsea which DeLucie was tapped for the reopening of. DeLucie also was behind Bedford & Co. in midtown Manhattan in the historic Renwick Hotel. His memoir, The Hunger: A Memoir of an Accidental Chef discussed his path to becoming a chef and restaurateur, having attended New York’s New School for Culinary Arts, and then getting his first food job, chopping 40-pound bags of onions in the back room of Dean & DeLuca.
Employees Only known mixology master Keith Larry consulted on the mixology of Ambra, creating a highly anticipated cocktail program with focused specialty cocktails and a hand selected wine list for the West Village restaurant.
The restaurateur behind Ambra is Andrea Ienna, Founder of San Paolo Hospitality, known for his role with restaurants such as Capizzi and seasoned New York industry experience.
Dining and cocktails service will be available 6 days a week, Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm to midnight. Brunch soon will be introduced for weekends as well. Ambra will officially open its doors to the public following New York Fashion Week on September 12th.
To show their loyalty to their neighborhood locale, any Greenwich Village local residing within the 10014 zip code, with ID Proof, will receive a standing 10% discount off their meal check. Ambra is located at 569 Hudson Street, New York, NY, 10014. Follow for social media updates at @AmbraNYC and visit at www.ambranyc.com. Call +1 (646) 989-8120 For Reservations.
Chef DeLucie Photo by Maria Erysheva
Ambra Exterior Photo by Will Hart