Livin’ the Hi-Life
By Doug Singer
Celebrating their 20th Anniversary in spring 2011, Hi-Life Restaurants have become a part of the New York City landscape. Originally opening at 477 Amsterdam Avenue in 1991, Hi-Life was one of the first restaurants to extol the design and style of the 1930’s. Traditionally, these places had big, stainless steel and neon signs, designed to catch the attention of potential customers passing by faster than ever in their shiny new automobiles. Once inside, they provided an oasis of comfort and civility to hard working men and women seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. Hi-Life’s décor is a fusion of classic 1930’s “joint” and an elegant ocean liner lounge from the same era. In fact, some of their vintage light fixtures were salvaged from the famous Conran ocean liners. True to this time, an atmosphere of “working class elegance” was created, highlighting great food at a smart price and of course, the “perfect” martini. While inspired by this period in time, there has always been a modern and original twist—a sensibility usually associated with restaurants and bars below 14th Street. Hi-Life brings this downtown vibe, uptown.
After a great success on the Westside, the Hi-Life team joined forces with architect David Rockwell to design and build an Eastside installation, which was a huge hit right from the day the doors swung open. Forced to relocate in 2005, they took along their classic neon signs and the mahogany and tufted leather bar to their new digs on 1503 Second Avenue.
We started off our evening of 'livin' the Hi-Life' by being picked up in the “Hi-Life mobile”, a 1936 Lincoln Zephyr with their famous steel and neon sign attached to the roof, which has been a beacon for Upper West and Upper Eastsiders going on 20 years. We were chauffeured off, as many celebrating a special event are, to the original Amsterdam Avenue site, Hi-Life Bar and Grill, the more casual of their two locations. Situated on a corner and thankfully endowed with a plethora of outdoor seating, they are a welcome respite for many neighborhood dwellers.
We imbibed like it was 1937 starting with a Drunken Gibson (six Tanqueray gin soaked cocktail onions, Tanqueray gin with a drop of sweet vermouth) and the White Cosmo (white cranberry, Absolut Citrus and a splash of St. Germain liqueur). Hi-Life was bold enough to be the first non-Japanese restaurant in NYC to feature an authentic sushi bar… in 1930’s style, of course. So we ordered up a half dozen of their extremely fresh oysters and a sampling from this non-traditional sushi bar whose design is replete with stainless steel diamond-plate backing and button-tufted upholstery.
After sharing a cocktail with the charismatic owner, Earl Geer, it quickly became apparent where this innovation is born. Committed to his craft, he brings an enthusiasm that keeps Hi-Life on the cutting edge, while remaining firmly planted as an homage to the 1930’s—a difficult balancing act to say the least. We were given an interesting history lesson which included being edified about one of the original Hi-Life regulars, Roger Hedden, who spent countless hours at the bar developing a movie script, which he ultimately directed, aptly called Hi-Life. Shot on location and starring Darryl Hannah and Eric Stoltz, Hi-Life the movie remains a testimonial to the appeal of places that remind us of our glorious history. After enjoying the Slammin’ Salmon (salmon, lemon, cilantro and avocado), slurping our briny oysters and indulging in great tales of the past, it was time to head over to the Eastside.
Hi-Life Restaurant and Lounge welcomed us with what else but the Rolls Royce Martini. Designed for the serious martini drinker and delivered tableside with an option of Vermouth dispensed from an atomizer, or an eyedropper, it is hard to imagine going back to work after the infamous three-martini lunches of days gone by. After poring over the extensive menu, we decided to get started with the Steamed Artichoke, Oysters Rockefeller and the Geisha Ladyfingers (salmon and tuna sashimi on wonton crisps). The eclectic blend of menu items seamlessly came together and delivered a delicious punch. Next came the heavenly Argentinean Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, a sampling from the innovative“Sweater Weather” pasta menu and the Chinatown Ribs. All were cooked to perfection and smacked of serious comfort food.
How do you classify a restaurant that offers steaks, chops, pasta, sushi and more? “Big City Brasserie Cuisine.” As you can plainly see, Hi-Life manages to cover a tremendous amount of ground, but always maintains their footing. A feat indeed and one that should be explored by all within striking distance.
1503 2nd Ave
New York
(212) 628-5433
www.hi-life.com
Celebrating their 20th Anniversary in spring 2011, Hi-Life Restaurants have become a part of the New York City landscape. Originally opening at 477 Amsterdam Avenue in 1991, Hi-Life was one of the first restaurants to extol the design and style of the 1930’s. Traditionally, these places had big, stainless steel and neon signs, designed to catch the attention of potential customers passing by faster than ever in their shiny new automobiles. Once inside, they provided an oasis of comfort and civility to hard working men and women seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. Hi-Life’s décor is a fusion of classic 1930’s “joint” and an elegant ocean liner lounge from the same era. In fact, some of their vintage light fixtures were salvaged from the famous Conran ocean liners. True to this time, an atmosphere of “working class elegance” was created, highlighting great food at a smart price and of course, the “perfect” martini. While inspired by this period in time, there has always been a modern and original twist—a sensibility usually associated with restaurants and bars below 14th Street. Hi-Life brings this downtown vibe, uptown.
After a great success on the Westside, the Hi-Life team joined forces with architect David Rockwell to design and build an Eastside installation, which was a huge hit right from the day the doors swung open. Forced to relocate in 2005, they took along their classic neon signs and the mahogany and tufted leather bar to their new digs on 1503 Second Avenue.
We started off our evening of 'livin' the Hi-Life' by being picked up in the “Hi-Life mobile”, a 1936 Lincoln Zephyr with their famous steel and neon sign attached to the roof, which has been a beacon for Upper West and Upper Eastsiders going on 20 years. We were chauffeured off, as many celebrating a special event are, to the original Amsterdam Avenue site, Hi-Life Bar and Grill, the more casual of their two locations. Situated on a corner and thankfully endowed with a plethora of outdoor seating, they are a welcome respite for many neighborhood dwellers.
We imbibed like it was 1937 starting with a Drunken Gibson (six Tanqueray gin soaked cocktail onions, Tanqueray gin with a drop of sweet vermouth) and the White Cosmo (white cranberry, Absolut Citrus and a splash of St. Germain liqueur). Hi-Life was bold enough to be the first non-Japanese restaurant in NYC to feature an authentic sushi bar… in 1930’s style, of course. So we ordered up a half dozen of their extremely fresh oysters and a sampling from this non-traditional sushi bar whose design is replete with stainless steel diamond-plate backing and button-tufted upholstery.
After sharing a cocktail with the charismatic owner, Earl Geer, it quickly became apparent where this innovation is born. Committed to his craft, he brings an enthusiasm that keeps Hi-Life on the cutting edge, while remaining firmly planted as an homage to the 1930’s—a difficult balancing act to say the least. We were given an interesting history lesson which included being edified about one of the original Hi-Life regulars, Roger Hedden, who spent countless hours at the bar developing a movie script, which he ultimately directed, aptly called Hi-Life. Shot on location and starring Darryl Hannah and Eric Stoltz, Hi-Life the movie remains a testimonial to the appeal of places that remind us of our glorious history. After enjoying the Slammin’ Salmon (salmon, lemon, cilantro and avocado), slurping our briny oysters and indulging in great tales of the past, it was time to head over to the Eastside.
Hi-Life Restaurant and Lounge welcomed us with what else but the Rolls Royce Martini. Designed for the serious martini drinker and delivered tableside with an option of Vermouth dispensed from an atomizer, or an eyedropper, it is hard to imagine going back to work after the infamous three-martini lunches of days gone by. After poring over the extensive menu, we decided to get started with the Steamed Artichoke, Oysters Rockefeller and the Geisha Ladyfingers (salmon and tuna sashimi on wonton crisps). The eclectic blend of menu items seamlessly came together and delivered a delicious punch. Next came the heavenly Argentinean Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, a sampling from the innovative“Sweater Weather” pasta menu and the Chinatown Ribs. All were cooked to perfection and smacked of serious comfort food.
How do you classify a restaurant that offers steaks, chops, pasta, sushi and more? “Big City Brasserie Cuisine.” As you can plainly see, Hi-Life manages to cover a tremendous amount of ground, but always maintains their footing. A feat indeed and one that should be explored by all within striking distance.
1503 2nd Ave
New York
(212) 628-5433
www.hi-life.com