If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to discover one of the East Village’s most talked-about dining destinations, restaurant week NYC is it. There’s no better time to step into Aquarelle, a seafood and Mediterranean restaurant that turns every meal into something worth remembering.
This isn’t just another deal on a prix-fixe menu. At Aquarelle, the restaurant week offer is a genuine introduction to how the kitchen operates every single night: fresh, precise, and deeply considered.
What Makes Aquarelle Stand Out During NYC Restaurant Week
Walk into Aquarelle at 47 Avenue B and the space does something most restaurants can’t it tells you exactly what kind of meal you’re about to have. Hand-crafted murals, dramatic sea-inspired lighting, blue velvet banquettes, and a private dining room that echoes the interior of a luxury yacht. The atmosphere isn’t incidental. It’s built to match what arrives at your table.
Aquarelle’s identity is rooted in one clear philosophy: freshness first. The kitchen sources daily catches from Atlantic waters, and the menu shifts regularly to reflect what’s actually exceptional at the market. That seasonal discipline is rare. And during manhattan restaurant week, it’s what separates a memorable meal from a forgettable one.
The Restaurant Week Menu: Four Courses at $60
Aquarelle’s NYC restaurant week menu is priced at $60 and runs across four thoughtfully composed courses. Here’s what’s on offer:
First Course — Choose One:
- Aquarelle Caesar
- Aquamelon Salad
Second Course — Choose One:
- Calamari (Grilled or Fried)
- Shrimp Kataify
- Shrimp Kofta
- Crab Cakes
- Grilled Octopus (+$5)
Third Course — Choose One:
- Branzino — Whole Fish, Grilled
- Dorade — Whole Fish, Grilled
- Faroe Island Wild Salmon
- Seafood Risotto
- Zucchini Spaghetti with Truffle Mushroom
- Wood Fired Roasted Chicken
Fourth Course:
- Chef’s Choice Desserts
Four courses. One price. And you’re eating from the same kitchen that plates a whole Branzino nightly and pours champagne alongside Meredith Marks Caviar. The value during restaurant week nyc isn’t a downgrade it’s a well-structured window into the full Aquarelle experience.
A Closer Look at the Full Dinner Menu
The restaurant week menu only tells part of the story. Aquarelle’s full dinner menu spans raw bar offerings, crudo, carpaccio, tartare, ceviche, shellfish towers, whole grilled fish, pasta, and land-based proteins all sharing the same commitment to quality sourcing.
Raw Bar and Seafood Starters
The raw program at Aquarelle is serious. You’ll find:
- Chef’s Selection Oysters — half dozen or dozen
- Shrimp Cocktail and Clams
- Deluxe Tower — clams, shrimp, oysters, half lobster, ceviche ($92)
- Royal Tower — the full expression, with whole lobster and a trio of ceviches ($169)
- Meredith Marks Caviar with champagne and blinis ($79)
These are not afterthoughts. The raw bar at Aquarelle is a destination within the destination.
Whole Fish and Shellfish
The heart of the dinner menu lives in the ocean section. Whole grilled Branzino and Dorade come simply with lemon and capers a choice that trusts the quality of the fish to carry the dish. Faroe Island Wild Salmon and sashimi-grade Tuna round out the selection, while scallops, jumbo prawns, and lobster are grilled with butter and garlic.
Pasta and Mediterranean Touches
The Mediterranean influence surfaces clearly in the pasta section. Squid Ink Linguine with Crab Meat, Seafood Risotto, Linguini and Clams, and Lobster Pasta bring a different register to the menu: coastal, rich, and carefully executed.
Weekend Brunch at Aquarelle
Beyond dinner, Aquarelle runs a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, with reservations available from 11am to 4pm. It draws a crowd for good reason, the same energy and quality that defines the dinner experience carries through to midday. If you’re looking for a relaxed but elevated weekend option in Manhattan, brunch here lands differently than most.
Cocktails Designed for Seafood
The bar program at Aquarelle isn’t a list of standard options slapped alongside a seafood menu. The signature cocktails are curated specifically to complement the food lighter, citrus-forward, and bright where they need to be, structured where the richer dishes call for it. It’s a thoughtful pairing approach that elevates the overall experience rather than treating drinks as an afterthought.
Private Events in a Setting That Actually Impresses
For those looking beyond a regular dinner, Aquarelle handles private events with the same precision applied to the menu. The private dining room styled to evoke the interior of a luxury yacht works for birthdays, corporate dinners, rehearsal dinners, bar and bat mitzvahs, Sweet 16s, holiday parties, and more. The team coordinates custom menus and dedicated service, so the event doesn’t just use the space it reflects the restaurant’s full capability.
If you’ve been searching for a private dining venue in Manhattan that combines atmosphere, seafood-forward cuisine, and attentive hospitality, Aquarelle is worth a serious look.
Why Manhattan Restaurant Week Is the Right Time to Go
Manhattan restaurant week brings value, but the better reason to visit Aquarelle during this period is access. You’re eating from a kitchen that operates at a consistent level year-round, in a space designed to make the meal feel like an event. The four-course prix-fixe at $60 isn’t a stripped-down version of what Aquarelle does it’s a direct line into it.
Tables fill during this period. If you’re planning to go, booking ahead through OpenTable is the practical move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aquarelle NYC’s restaurant week price? The restaurant week menu at Aquarelle is priced at $60 per person and includes four courses a starter, a second course, a main, and chef’s choice desserts.
Where is Aquarelle NYC located? Aquarelle is located at 47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009, in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan.
Does Aquarelle offer brunch during restaurant week? Weekend brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. The restaurant week promotion applies to the dinner menu. Dinner reservations run Monday through Sunday from 5pm to 1am.
Can I host a private event at Aquarelle during restaurant week? Yes. Aquarelle accommodates private events including birthday celebrations, corporate dinners, and more throughout the year, including during restaurant week. Reach out to the team directly to arrange custom event details.
How do I make a reservation at Aquarelle for NYC restaurant week? Reservations can be made through OpenTable at aquarellenyc.com or by calling (212) 777-4547.
