Just one level above the pulse of Lower Manhattan, with glass towers reflecting the fading sunlight, and the Hudson River beginning to shine softly, One40 Rooftop has created a different type of dining experience in the Financial District, with more emphasis on ambiance than anything else.

Sitting above the Club Quarters Hotel located at 140 Washington Street, One40 and its newest addition, Golden Hour at One40, provide the perfect mix of class and ease characteristic of New York City. Located on top of the World Trade Center area and the 9/11 Memorial area, One40 has a sense of depth to its ambiance because of the historic and emotional significance associated with its location.

At the heart of the whole concept lies the founder of One40, Mona Panjwani, who has made it her mission to design this rooftop bar and lounge not just as a luxury spot but also as an emotionally connected one.

“The vision was to create a space that feels elevated yet easy-going,” Panjwani explains. “Something that reflects New York at its best without feeling overly formal.”

This philosophy pervades the entire restaurant experience, where luxury without pretension replaces elegance. Instead of emphasizing any aspect of being exclusive or dramatic, One40 pays attention to the subtle elements that define the guest experience, including the right lighting, texture, rhythm, and menu that allows conversation to flow. For Panjwani, modern luxury is no longer defined by excess. “Luxury today is less about formality and more about how something makes you feel,” she says. “True luxury is when something feels seamless and considered, without asking for attention.”

That sense of intentional ease becomes especially apparent at Golden Hour at One40, the restaurant’s outdoor rooftop concept that officially debuted this spring. Designed as a transition between the workday and the evening ahead, the terrace embraces the fleeting beauty of sunset over Lower Manhattan with lounge seating, lush greenery, handcrafted cocktails, and skyline views that stretch across the Financial District.

The rooftop’s design, created by Abraham John Architects, combines modern architecture with warmth and intimacy, incorporating natural textures and greenery against the steel-and-glass backdrop of Downtown Manhattan. Within the interior space, there is a sculptural ceiling installation that alludes to the nearby reflection pools of the 9/11 Memorial, grounding the space in the history and emotional significance of its surroundings.

The restaurant’s culinary direction follows the same philosophy of refinement without rigidity.

Leading the kitchen is Executive Chef Sebastien Chaoui, whose background in French fine dining includes experience at celebrated institutions such as L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris and the George V Hotel. At One40, however, Chaoui shifts away from traditional French cuisine in favor of a Modern American menu centered around seasonality, balance, and ingredient-driven simplicity.

“I approached the redesign of One40’s menu with a focus on seasonal ingredients and classic presentation,” Chaoui says. “The goal was to highlight fresh, high-quality products while keeping the menu rooted in timeless Modern American cuisine.”

This leads to a menu that is elegant but inviting, switching seamlessly between elegant seafood dishes, homemade pastas, fresh vegetables, and well-prepared meats. Dishes like seared sea scallops, duck confit pappardelle, herb-crust rack of lamb, and seasonal seafood dishes demonstrate Chaoui’s skills and his attention to detail while still being accessible. Dishes like Poached Pear & Pistachio Tart for dessert bring a touch of elegance without being too formal.

Cocktail and wine menus play another important role in creating an environment of elegant simplicity. Cocktails focus on using fresh, locally-sourced produce and well-crafted flavors, while the wine list features sustainable wineries from across the globe, Italy, France, Australia, and California, among others.

For Panjwani, one of the most rewarding aspects of One40’s evolution has been watching guests emotionally connect with the space itself. “There’s a genuine emotion that the place evokes,” she says. “People are looking for experiences that feel real and not overly produced, but still refined.”

One40 Rooftop is a distinctive offering within this environment that is usually characterized by motion, trade, and change, where patrons are invited to sit back, relax, and enjoy some time in the cityscape while its skyline comes alive around them.