Indoor dining is still verboten in the city, but Michele and Anisa Iuliano figured out a workaround above their restaurant Gnoccheria.

This week, the couple opened Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop (100 Broad Street) directly upstairs from their inventive gnocchi operation. Ampia serves light, rustic Italian fare with plenty of seafood, in addition to pizza and pasta, for lunch and dinner.

Michele and Anisa had thought of the 4,500-square-foot rooftop concept prior to COVID-19 –

The shelter-in-place orders threw a wrench in their plans. They had prepared the greenhouse space for socially-distanced outdoor dining after Anisa saw an online ad for plastic greenhouses. That’s when inspiration struck: Why not give their diners a custom indoor dining experience on the roof?  Each of the five greenhouses seats two diners, replete with a lush array of plants and flowers. (Per social-distancing guidelines, it is preferred that the dining pairs live together.)

Of course, anyone who isn’t lucky enough to snag a greenhouse can sit at one of the outdoor tables. Space is designed to accommodate 250 guests, but Ampia will be operating at 25% capacity to abide by social-distancing measures.

“I want people to come on this beautiful roof and feel safe and like they’re in their own little world so they can enjoy themselves,” Anisa told Time Out New York.

Check out their dining menu and cocktail menu

To mitigate the risk of infection, tables are placed at least six feet apart, surfaces are thoroughly and frequently sanitized and ordering is contactless. Diners are required to wear masks unless they’re sitting at their tables.

Octopus Sandwich

About 

Husband and wife duo, Chef Michele Iuliano and Anisa Iuliano, the restaurateurs behind seven NYC-based Italian eateries (most notable being their popular Napoletana eatery, Gnoccheria)open Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop in the heart of the Financial District. Located at 100 Broad St. (Entrance on Bridge St.) on the third floor, Ampia Rooftop (Ampia meaning “Space” in Italian) is a sprawling 4,500 Sq. foot outdoor rooftop terrace featuring individual greenhouses for a social distance dining experience, opulent clusters of colorful flower gardens, and Italian-themed art and décor dispersed throughout.

Chef Michele Iuliano and Anisa Iuliano

Chef Michele Iuliano offers up an authentic Italian menu of lite casual fare, along with a selection of inventive seafood paninis.

Now Open Ampia Rooftop is incorporating safety and sanitizing precautions and will be open for dinner daily.

My LM