Design & Interiors: My first impression upon walking into the restaurant was that I had been transported to some memorable place and time. Was this an old restaurant or new? It had a strong manly air but was infused with whimsical touches of bizarre animal statuary and ornate mirrors. I’ve since learned that this was the whole idea behind the interior design. The ultra-cool yet vintage interiors by Roman & Williams are purposely reminiscent of old, leather-bound lodges and British Pubs but decorated with a quirky, dreamy, contemporary twist.

There are artful, weathered details on the walls and floors, and plenty of authentically aged door knobs, hooks, mirrors, white subway tiles, and softly-focused schoolhouse lamps (from several eras) that are heavy on nostalgia and other-worldly touches. Dark wood and iron elements are everywhere, and the restaurant offers scotch-plaid curtained booths for privacy which are outfitted with a button to call your server to your table (we want to sit there next time!). A beautiful variety of oil lamps, chandeliers and sconces that evoke Victorian libraries dot the high ceilings and walls. Retro jazz and rock music plays over loud speakers, and pig/bull/deer/chickens are everywhere on posters, statuary, signs, menus and colorful drink coasters. The mezzanine is darkened for one-on-one business meetings and secret rendezvous. Finally, I loved the vintage-styled menus as they give homage to a bygone era, typed up in a youthful manner on an old Smith-Corona.

As you can tell by the photos, this is the darkest restaurant I have ever been in. Grub Street New York and the N.Y. Times have slideshows of the restaurant interiors too, but there are so many odd finishing touches to this place that it is worth a long, leisurely visit. You can also check out their inventive website which will set the stage for your absolutely juicy dining experience: www.thebreslin.com

The Breslin, 16 West 29th Street & Broadway, Phone: (646) 214-5788, no reservations

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