It’s gonna happen. (Trying to make a Mean Girls reference here, might be failing miserably). But the point of The Ivory Peacock being a spot that needs to become a hot spot remains. According to (their) legend, during recent renovations in the space, the owners “uncovered an unexpected “lucky charm” nestled beneath years of drywall—an illustration of a majestic peacock rendered ivory.” The Ivory Peacock was (re)born and now boasts two distinct bars, a lounge, dining areas, and a lounge downstairs that will transport you straight to the 1920’s.
Known for the largest gin collection in NYC, I would have loved to come by for a happy hour or dinner date night. but happily settled for a brunch once I saw they offered it. Not yet known as a go to for the midday meal, we had the whole place to ourselves, and while a bit more of an atmosphere would have been nice, it felt like we had VIP rented out the whole place. This gave us a chance to admire the decor and vibes of the place. Great Gatsby meets late 1800’s wealth, the charm can be seen from the lighting to the lounge chaises to the dark colors and artwork at every corner.
The cocktail menu definitely lives up to the honor of being NYC’s most diverse gin bars. I would highly recommend heading there even just for drinks to check it out. We started off with Bloody Mary’s. The house made mix with vegetable juice, wasabi, white miso, kanzuri chili, tamari, and gochujang had me googling the ingredients while guzzling. You either love these or you hate them, but if you’re a lover like me you will not regret going with this version. It’ss like a spicy, umami-packed party in your mouth! The wasabi and miso add a unique twist, while the Kanzuri chili and gochujang bring the heat. This place seriously knows what they are doing with their drinks.
But if you’re hungry, the food is just as an amazing reason to go. From Royal Ostera Caviar to a Japanese-style hotdog, you are going to see some interesting and delicious-sounding finds on the menu. Peking Duck Croquettes?? I mean come on!!
I assume the menu is seasonal because I do not see the above, the best Avocado Toast I have ever had, listed. Usually mashed and served with a generous layer of smashed avo, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and maybe a drizzle of olive oil; not this one. A fresh avocado mash layer is completely covered with more whipped guacamole, pickled onions, and a mystery cream that I believe is a mixture of deviled eggs, hollandaise, or maybe even cream cheese. Whatever it may have been, this is an ultimate avocado toast.
They’re served all over the city, from coffee shops to some of the most popular hotspots. So to make a memorable one is no easy task. This is an exception, an avocado toast superstar. Creamy, yet crunchy, with the onion and bits in the mash. Filling with the multigrain hearty, rustic bread. Yet light with the fresh and vibrant ingredients. Just a perfect fusion of flavors, enough to not overload a slice of toast while being interesting. I hope if this is a seasonal item, you’re there for the season it is offered because this brunch classic is taken to another level here.
A burger is the ultimate judge of a bar’s kitchen. Regardless of how upscale it may be, having a solid burger is the real sign of excellence. So, the Ivory Burger, made with prime beef cheddar, caramelized onions, and a secret sauce, was a must try to make sure our suspicion of this place being amazing was right.
The beef was perfectly juicy and tender, it practically melts in your mouth. Topped with a generous layer of cheddar cheese that oozes indulgence, I loved the addition of thick beefsteak tomatoes and shredded lettuce to create that no-fuss burger. I normally would stay stop there. My favorite burger is the one at J.G. Melon, which is similar to this description- just good ingredients, prepared well, making for an exceptional burger. But this one adds caramelized onions for a sweet touch, and a secret sauce that’s, well, a secret worth keeping. Maybe some mayo, maybe some chipotle, and a lot of creamy seasonings, I was trying to soak up every bit of it that I could.
In a world of fancy culinary creations, sometimes you just need a burger that reminds you of the classics, and this one does it with style. Add a side of frites, thick-cut with a generous season and you have a grade-A bar burger (and hangover meal if you too order the Bloody Mary).
So, as I said, make The Ivory Peacock happen, it’s going to happen! At least, that’s what I hope, for this absolute gem of a gin bar.
