The handsome Seed Library features dark hues, intimate corners, amazing cocktails and bites. Photo by Nicholas Lee Ruiz
Award-winning bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana a.k.a Mr Lyan, has reimagined his successful Shoreditch, London bar The Seed Library with Seed Library NYC. Located on the lower ground floor of NoMad’s Hotel Park Ave NYC, the venue is a return to the classic ‘Manhattan bar’ atmosphere, with dark hues, intimate corners, crafty cocktails and elevated bites, offering a bit of an escape. Known for pioneering innovation and sustainability in the cocktail industry, Mr Lyan has other bars in Amsterdam and Washington, D.C.
A Lyan Classic, the Koji Hardshake. Photo by Roman Shields Shabadolov
Seed Library NYC is a collaboration between Mr Lyan, Lore Group and Renwick Hospitality, drawing inspiration from the original site at One Hundred Shoreditch in London’s East End. Their cocktail menu features 17 original cocktails, including a selection of Seed Library classics adapted with iconic New York flavours, such as C.R.E.A.M Margarita, a rich and spicy blend of Lalo Tequila, Mezcal, passionfruit, cream ATOM, pickled chilli, and lime as well as Coriander Seed Gimlet, a lovely libation made with Beefeater Gin, coriander seed cordial, and white grape.
THE SEED LIBRARY NYC TEAM: James Wheeler, Alex Lawrence Milia, Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr Lyan), Gary Wallach and Carsten Johanssen. Photo by Nicholas Lee Ruiz
These are available alongside signature creations such as Shepherd’s Delight combining Renais Gin, Maker’s Mark, enzyme’d concord grape, raspberry, and lemon in a wild reimagining of a classic flavour that unleashes an explosion of vibrant fruitiness, or the crisp and bright Pear + Apple + Tonic highball, made with Christian Drouin white clavados, pear brandy and sonic water. After noticing one woman’s intriguing cocktail, I asked her the name, and tried the More Ducks, with Roku Gin, lemon, creme d’escargot, and blackberries, and as a gin lover, it was quite refreshing and tasty.
More Ducks cocktail, with Roku gin, lemon, creme d’escargot, and blackberries. Photo by Linda Sheridan
Non-alcoholic cocktails are available as well, including S&P Spritz, a bittersweet highball that replaces Grey Goose Vodka with Seedlip Spice, and combines yellow bell pepper with strawberry aperitivo to create a complex, vegetal lift and Thai Basil Soda, a ranch water-inspired creation with Seedlip Garden in place of Belvedere Vodka, as well as Thai basil and soda.
Tasty bites, created in collaboration with Renwick Hospitality are on the menu, including the must-have Lyan Burger with English Cheddar, bacon, and gherkins served on a potato roll, Cheese Dip featuring whipped feta alongside salsa verde and crispy naan bread; Loaded Tots, and even freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookies can be ordered.
Reservations can be made at seedlibrarynyc.com or on OpenTable.