Restaurant week NYC is one of those rare moments when the city’s dining scene feels genuinely generous. Great food, fixed prices, and a chance to explore kitchens you might not have walked into otherwise. If you’ve been looking for the right table to book, Aquarelle a seafood and Mediterranean restaurant tucked into the heart of the East Village might be exactly what your list has been missing.
A Space That Sets the Tone Before the First Bite
Walk into Aquarelle at 47 Avenue B and the atmosphere hits you immediately. Hand-crafted murals, dramatic lighting, and nautical design details work together to create what the restaurant describes as an “underwater wonderland.” Blue velvet banquettes sit beneath sea-inspired lanterns, and the private dining room paneled in warm wood carries the feel of a luxury yacht.
It’s not a gimmick. The design is deliberate and immersive, and it sets an expectation the kitchen consistently meets.
The Restaurant Week Menu: Four Courses at $60
Aquarelle’s participation in nyc restaurant week offers serious value for the quality on the plate. The four-course prix-fixe menu is priced at $60 per person and covers everything from a composed first course through to chef’s choice desserts.
Here’s how the menu breaks down:
- First Course: Aquarelle Caesar or Aquamelon Salad
- Second Course: A selection including Calamari (grilled or fried), Shrimp Kataify, Shrimp Kofta, Crab Cakes, or Grilled Octopus (with a modest $5 supplement)
- Third Course: Whole grilled Branzino, whole grilled Dorade, Faroe Island Wild Salmon, Seafood Risotto, Zucchini Spaghetti with Truffle Mushroom, or Wood Fired Roasted Chicken
- Fourth Course: Chef’s Choice Desserts
The range is thoughtfully anchored in seafood but with options that work for different preferences. The whole fish preparations, in particular, reflect what Aquarelle does best: quality sourcing, clean technique, and honest flavor.
Why Aquarelle Stands Out Among the Best Seafood Restaurants NYC Has to Offer
Manhattan restaurant week brings a lot of options to the surface. What separates a memorable meal from a forgettable one usually comes down to three things: ingredient quality, kitchen consistency, and the energy of the room.
At Aquarelle, the seafood is brought in daily from Atlantic waters. The menu changes to reflect what’s exceptional at the market on any given day, which means dishes like the Faroe Island Wild Salmon or the whole grilled Branzino carry real culinary intention behind them — not just a price point.
The full dinner menu available beyond restaurant week spans an impressive range:
- A raw bar section featuring oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, and towers built for sharing
- Crudo, carpaccio, tartare, and ceviche preparations that showcase the freshness of the product
- Whole fish grilled with lemon and capers (Branzino, Dorade, Snapper, and salt-baked options)
- Shellfish mains including scallops, jumbo prawns, and lobster
- Pasta dishes from Linguini & Clams to Lobster Pasta and Squid Ink Linguine with Crab Meat
- A curated selection of land-based mains, including a Filet Mignon, Surf & Turf, and the Golden Tomahawk
The breadth of it tells you something. This is a kitchen that takes its range seriously while keeping seafood at the center.
Brunch, Cocktails, and the Full Picture
Aquarelle isn’t only a dinner destination. Weekend brunch served Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm draws its own crowd for good reason. Bottomless cocktail packages start at $49 for 90 minutes and include Mimosas, Bellinis, Bloody Marys, Sangria, and more.
The brunch menu moves between seafood-forward dishes (Lox Bagel, Seafood Omelet, Lobster Roll, L’Aquarelle Salmon Burger) and crowd favorites like Eggs Benedict on a croissant, steak and eggs, and a Belgian Waffle with mixed berries. There’s also a Turkish Breakfast spread for groups of four or more, a nod to the Mediterranean thread that runs through everything Aquarelle does.
The signature cocktail program is equally considered. The bar list includes creative builds like the Aquarelle (lavender, elderflower, gin, and prosecco), the Forbidden Mezcal (smoky mezcal, yuzu, grapefruit, plum salt), and the L’Truffle Coffee Negroni an earthy, indulgent riff on the classic. These aren’t afterthoughts; they’re designed specifically to complement the seafood-forward menu.
Private Events Worth Planning Around
Aquarelle also functions as one of the more distinctive private event venues in the East Village. The team handles birthday celebrations, corporate dinners, holiday parties, Sweet 16s, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, and more. The private dining room with its yacht-like warmth and attentive service makes the setting feel personal rather than transactional.
If you’re considering booking for a group during or around Manhattan restaurant week, it’s worth reaching out early. Tables, especially for special occasions, move quickly.
Practical Details
- Location: 47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 (East Village)
- Dinner: Monday – Sunday, reservations from 5pm to 1am
- Brunch: Saturday & Sunday, reservations from 11am to 4pm
- Reservations: Available via the website at aquarellenyc.com, by phone at (212) 777-4547, or through OpenTable
- Restaurant Week Menu: $60 per person, four courses
FAQ
What is included in Aquarelle’s restaurant week menu?
The four-course prix-fixe menu at $60 per person includes a first course (salad), second course (small bites including calamari, crab cakes, or grilled octopus), a third course with whole fish options and pasta selections, and a chef’s choice dessert to finish.
Is Aquarelle one of the best seafood restaurants in NYC for restaurant week?
Aquarelle is a strong choice if you’re looking for fresh, daily-sourced seafood in a distinctive setting. The restaurant week menu reflects the quality of the full dinner menu, and the East Village location adds to the overall experience.
Do I need a reservation for NYC restaurant week at Aquarelle?
Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner. You can book through aquarellenyc.com, call (212) 777-4547, or use OpenTable.
Does Aquarelle offer brunch in addition to dinner?
Yes. Weekend brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm, with bottomless cocktail packages starting at $49 per person.
Can I host a private event at Aquarelle during restaurant week?
Absolutely. Aquarelle accommodates private events including birthdays, corporate gatherings, and milestone celebrations. Contact the team directly through the website to discuss availability and menu options.
A Meal Worth Making the Reservation For
There’s no shortage of options when restaurant week rolls around in New York. But not every table offers the combination of a thoughtfully designed space, kitchen-driven seafood, a genuine cocktail program, and a team that treats hospitality as part of the craft.
Aquarelle does. If you haven’t been, this is a good time to go.
Reserve your table at aquarellenyc.com or call (212) 777-4547.
