After a steady expansion trajectory throughout the city, Alobar Downtown, the latest business venture from the Alo Food Group, is now accepting reservations.
Michelin-star chef and owner Patrick Kriss remains the face behind the brand, accompanied by chef de cuisine Rebekah Bruce, who was the opening day chef de cuisine at Alobar Yorkville. The Alo Food Group also owns French restaurants Alo (2015), Aloette (2017), Alobar Yorkville (2018), Aloette Go (2021) and Alder (2022).
Alobar Downtown is significantly larger, with the capacity for roughly three times the number of guests as Alobar Yorkville (there are 90 seats in the dining room and 50 seats in the lounge area). The bar and lounge area has been designed so that it’s more easily distinguishable from the dining room, letting it exist as its own activity hub. This area is also home to a DJ booth.
Outside, the patio, which will open in the coming weeks, can accommodate another 60 guests.
Perhaps the biggest difference though, is that Alobar Downtown will offer a lunch menu on weekdays starting June 14.
“Because the capacity is almost three times bigger, Downtown’s menu has more offerings, especially in regards to our selection of steaks and chops,” says John Bunner, Operations Director, Alo Food Group. Several new dishes have been introduced; however, the two locations still share many of the same dishes, including mainstays like the Hokkaido sea scallop ceviche, Alobar wedge salad, dover sole and mille-feuille.
Some popular new items on Alobar Downtown’s menu are the Iberico pork schnitzel, taglione pasta with mussels and clams, twice-baked potato and the banana cream pie.
Behind the bar, Luis Martinez, previously lead bartender at Alobar Yorkville, has designed a selection of classic house cocktails, like the White Room (Tanqueray gin, strawberry soju, almond, fresh lemon and egg white) and La Malinche (Altos Blanco tequila, mezcal, poblano pepper, and fresh lime).
Alobar’s wine program, led by Sommelier Andrea Calini, continues to grow as the group adds additional labels. It will largely consist of a number of lesser known fantastic producers from familiar wine regions in France, Italy, California and elsewhere.
Alobar Downtown is located at 150 York St. and is open Wednesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 4 to 10:30 p.m., and Tuesday from 5 to 10:30 p.m.
