Dreams Come True in the Village

Artistic History Meets World-Class Cuisine

Story and photography courtesy of Figaro Café

The renowned Figaro Café, managed by Mario Skaric—who has a background in senior management at The Grill by Major Food Group and The Standard Grill—is set to refresh its image and menu. To accomplish this, the café has appointed Executive Chef Hailey Nissimov, who previously worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Shmoné. Chef Nissimov brings her unique vision for a modern American menu to Figaro, drawing inspiration from her global travels and culinary experiences.

Located in Greenwich Village, at the crossroads of two famed New York City streets, Bleecker and MacDougal, this is the very place where beat generation pioneers such as Bob Dylan worked on his debut album, where Jack Kerouac hosted his legendary jazz poetry nights, and where Lenny Bruce would unwind after his sets at the Gaslight Café. For owner Mario, the restaurant’s new menu represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream—melding the venue’s storied artistic history with a new level of dining sophistication, offering a timeless experience to a new generation of New Yorkers.

The newly appointed Executive Chef Hailey Nissimov leads the kitchen, an accomplished chef who refined her skills under the mentorship of Chef Nadav Greenberg at Shmoné. With a multifaceted background as a musical artist and talk show host in Israel, the menu at Figaro reflects her creativity, reimagining American classics and bringing them to new heights.

Small plates meant for sharing include: white anchovies with tomato seeds, olive oil, shallots, and fresh za’atar, served with brioche crisps; the tuna melt with bluefin tuna confit and mango habanero aioli, cascaded with melty Swiss raclette cheese served tableside, packed between crispy butter brioche; and thinly sliced wagyu skewers featuring A5 Japanese wagyu cooked on a Japanese Binchotan grill, served with grilled artichoke heart, herb yogurt, and charred scallion gremolata.

Off the grill, guests will enjoy meats sourced from Pat LaFrieda and cooked on a Japanese Binchotan grill. The steak frites feature a twelve-ounce prime hanger steak au poivre paired with crispy frites, while the delicious twenty-ounce prime bone-in ribeye au poivre is not to be missed.

For large plates, try a twist on a New York classic with the charcoal branzino with kohlrabi “ravioli” and rich crème fraiche sauce with capers, chestnuts, and asparagus, served with lemon brûlée. The cast iron scallops are served with summer corn and garnished with corn tuile, with a white corn soup poured over the dish tableside. For the plant-based bunch, try the lion’s mane mushroom steak, served on a bed of forbidden rice and finished with caramel-wild mushroom demi-glace and grilled scallion.

And don’t skip dessert! Indulge or make a special occasion of any night when you try the brown butter panna cotta with olive oil and pine nuts, the wild berries cobbler with molten fresh berries, mascarpone, and dark chocolate sorbet, and the lavender-mango pavlova with merengue, mango compote, lavender flowers, yogurt ice cream, and date syrup.

The bar at Figaro Café will feature a creative collection of signature cocktails inspired by New York City day-to-day life, curated by Jeremy Le Blanche (formerly of Thyme Bar in New York and German Gymnasium in London). The emphasis is on utilizing premium ingredients and recognizable American brands, visible in the DoNut Old Fashioned—his take on an Old Fashioned inspired by Dunkin’ Donuts. It features donut-washed rye whisky with osmanthus syrup, ginger Domaine de Canton, chocolate bitters, and salt, garnished with a whole chocolate donut. The Top of the Rock, named after the observation deck at Rockefeller Center, has black sesame-infused whisky, lemon, cherry liqueur, and walnut bitters, finished with soda water and topped with black sesame foam and cherry. There is also an international wine list comprising red, white, rosé, and sparkling options, as well as beers on tap and canned.

Designed by DM Design with Mario Skaric, Figaro Café’s interior blends classic Parisian bistro charm with modern style. The ninety-five-seat dining room features a striking twenty-five-foot Calacatta marble bar, a curated liquor display, and a library ladder for reaching top-shelf bottles. Adjacent, dark circular tables and tan banquettes offer prime people-watching views, with original 1950s Figaro newspaper clippings as wallpaper. The back dining area has chic blue chairs and classic NYC exposed brick. A chef’s counter overlooks the open kitchen, and dark wood flooring ties the space together. Alfresco patio dining is also available in good weather.

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Figaro Café is open daily at 184 Bleecker Street, New York, NY, 10012. For hours and more information, please visit FigaroNYC.com or follow @figarocafe on Instagram for more news.