Ambra: Chef John DeLucie’s Italian Addition to Hudson Street
Ambra, a localized restaurant offering modernized light Italian fare in an intimate, exclusive setting has opened its doors, (officially September 19th, softly September 6th), in the West Village of Manhattan, located at Hudson and 11th, featuring notable chef John DeLucie (The Waverly Inn, Lion, Lumaca), expert mixologist Keith Larry (Employees Only), and seasoned New York restaurateur Andrea Ienna (Capizzi). Joining the landscape of the historic Greenwich Village corner adjacent to White Horse Tavern, Ambra adds a new destination to the ever expanding and desired, staple New York neighborhood.
Already a local gem, the intimate dining room of Ambra seats 72 patrons per sitting in large and small seating style arrangement, perfect for groups of any size, focused around an oversized custom wooden and marble bar that centralizes the space. The room evokes an old-school Italian feel combined with the aesthetic of downtown New York, in a warm and inviting setting built for a conversational meal. Their sidewalk patio seats another 18 guests looking for a genuine neighborhood meal. Ambra is designed as a place for friends to dine, New Yorkers to convene, and neighborhood locals to enjoy laughs over delicious cuisine, with authentic and homemade Italian offerings.
Designed by Legeard Studio (KYU, La Grande Boucherie), Ambra’s interior design draws influence from its namesake, with amber hues present throughout the space, and Italian influence, for an inviting wood centric design focused on classic quality, minimalism and comfort. Its oversized front and side glass windows frame the beautiful and picturesque West Village neighborhood Ambra calls home, providing dining patrons a sense of their quaint neighborhood surroundings through enticing dining views.
Ambra’s Executive Chef, John DeLucie, hails from New York (Brooklyn) with strong Italian family roots. For much of the past two decades, John DeLucie has been one of New York City’s most popular chefs. Most recently, DeLucie partnered with HGU New York to open the hotel’s flagship Italian Osteria. Lumaca was John’s opportunity to reconnect with his Southern Italian roots. One of Italy’s best kept secrets, the region is rich with a culinary history dating back centuries filled with rustic breads & hand shaped pastas. Lumaca’s menu is filled with regional favorites sourced straight from Italy along with locally sourced seafood and authentic Italian flavors.
In 2005 DeLucie along with Graydon Carter founded The Waverly Inn, where his take on classic American cuisine attracted both the celebrity crowd and serious food fans, who were wowed by his original and eye-opening offerings.
In 2010 DeLucie’s acclaimed restaurant, The Lion was called “eye-catching” (W Magazine), “the latest addition to the power pantheon” (Time Out New York), and “the edge of the volcano” (Gael Greene) that “has the media, fashion and pretty folks out in force” (Women’s Wear Daily). But it’s not the celebrity clientele that demands the most attention. In the end, it all comes down to John’s simple cooking—a passion that was instilled in him as a little boy.
“I am always thrilled to reconnect with cooking the food of my heritage, especially when I can partner with a serious restaurateur, and being in the West Village is home for me, as I lived in the West Village for twenty years, so it is a true homecoming” – Notes Chef John Delucie
Ambra Dinner Menu highlights include Antipasti such as Crispy Artichokes with Lemon Aioli, Arugula and Fennel Salad, Fluke Crudo, Whipped Mortadella Pistachio Pugliese Bread, and an extensive Pizze menu featuring freshly made pizzas such as Robiola with White Truffle, Rosso Tomato and Chili, and Soppressata with Hot Honey. Paste, handmade pastas which will all be made in-house, such as Tonnarelli Spaghetti, Pappardelle Braised Short Rib Ragù, Rigatoni Eggplant, Tomato and Ricotta Salata, Gnocchi Alla Vodka, Spicy Lobster Spaghetti, Gnudi Brown Butter Sage, and Secondi inclusive of Branzino Acqua Pazza, Tagliata Di Manzo New York Strip, Pollo Al Mattone, Cotoletta Veal Chop, and Salmone Alla Griglia, plus a list of palatable sides and decadent desserts.
Further adds Chef DeLucie, “The menu is an opportunity for me to cook my absolute favorite foods, aiming to excite our patrons, offering homemade pastas, and share them with our community in New York, which as a chef, is a privilege.”
DeLucie’s long resume continues. In 2019, returning to his Brooklyn roots, DeLucie opened the 10,000 square foot Ainslie. The Italian restaurant boasts a wine bar, outdoor garden, lounge, and rooftop.
In 2017, DeLucie partnered with Cafeteria Group to reopen Chelsea’s iconic Empire Diner, located on 10th Ave near The High Line. The Diner features an outdoor terrace and is bustling from breakfast until late night with a menu focused on elevated American Comfort food. In 2016, inspired by the wood grilling tastes he experienced on a vacation to Buenos Aires, DeLucie opened Bedford & Co. in midtown Manhattan in the historic Renwick Hotel. The restaurant features seasonal American cooking utilizing a hand-made wood-burning grill.
His memoir, The Hunger: A Memoir of an Accidental Chef (HarperCollins, 2009) discussed his path to becoming a chef and restaurateur. When he graduated from Gallatin, his plan was, he says, to replace Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin. Although he tried his hand at a few 9-to-5 jobs, he eventually gave in to his natural culinary curiosity, first taking courses at New York’s New School for Culinary Arts (NYU), and then getting his first food job, chopping 40-pound bags of onions in the back room of Dean & DeLuca. He was working as an executive recruiter when he decided to take a 12-week cooking class at the New School, which led to his life of cooking. In 2009 and 2010, he was the first Celebrity Chef honored at the MTV Movie Awards. He has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, The Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, Martha Stewart, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and in Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, Town & Country, New York Times, and Saveur.
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For the last few years, DeLucie has also been focused on his national Cook Unity platform, in which ‘Meals by John DeLucie’ are prepared fresh in small batches in local kitchens across the country and delivered to your door. Today, DeLucie’s style remains as distinctively simple as it is universally praised, and he is focused on bringing his Italian roots to Ambra, aimed to create the perfect Italian locale in the heart of Greenwich Village.
Further adding to the intrigue of Ambra, Employees Only notable and world renowned mixologist Keith Larry consulted on the mixology of Ambra, creating a highly anticipated cocktail program and wine list for the eatery, known for his award winning cocktails at the popular West Village staple with over a decade behind their bar. The restaurateur behind Ambra is Andrea Ienna, Founder of San Paolo Hospitality, known for his role with restaurants such as Capizzi.
Dining and cocktails service will be available 6 days a week, Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm to midnight. Brunch soon will be introduced for weekends as well. Ambra will officially open its doors to the public following September 19th, following a series of private NYFW dinners with Christian Siriano, and Michael Costello x Revolve, led by an exclusive September 6th grand opening dinner with Paper Magazine.
Ambra is located at 569 Hudson Street, New York, NY, 10014.
Follow for social media updates at @AmbraNYC.
