Restaurant week NYC is one of those rare moments when the city’s dining scene feels genuinely accessible, a chance to explore restaurants that might otherwise sit outside your regular rotation. And if you have not yet experienced Aquarelle Seafood & Mediterranean in the East Village, this is the perfect reason to go.
This is not just a prix-fixe deal slapped together for the season. At Aquarelle, the restaurant week menu is a carefully curated four-course journey that reflects the same commitment to fresh, quality seafood that defines every dinner service here.
What Makes Aquarelle Stand Out Among Manhattan Restaurant Week Options
There are hundreds of restaurants participating in Manhattan Restaurant week each season. Most offer a pared-down version of their usual menu. Aquarelle takes a different approach.
Situated at 47 Avenue B in the heart of the East Village, the restaurant is built around an immersive underwater aesthetic hand-crafted murals, dramatic lighting, blue velvet banquettes, and a private dining room styled after a luxury yacht. It is a space designed to make you feel like the evening matters.
The food backs it up. Aquarelle sources fresh catches daily from Atlantic waters, and that philosophy does not change for restaurant week. The seasonal menu celebrates quality, not volume, and every dish is prepared with precision.
A Look at the Restaurant Week Menu: Four Courses, Real Value
The current restaurant week offering at Aquarelle is priced at $60 per person and spans four courses. Here is what to expect:
First Course — Salads to Start
- Aquarelle Caesar
- Aquamelon Salad
Both options are clean, well-balanced starters that set the tone without overwhelming the palate.
Second Course — The Seafood Appetizers
- Calamari (Grilled or Fried)
- Shrimp Kataify
- Shrimp Kofta
- Crab Cakes
- Grilled Octopus (available for a small supplement)
This is where the kitchen’s Mediterranean influences come through clearly. The grilled octopus and shrimp kataify in particular reflect the kind of thoughtful preparation that separates a restaurant doing seafood well from one doing it generically.
Third Course — The Mains
- Branzino (Whole Fish, Grilled)
- Dorade (Whole Fish, Grilled)
- Faroe Island Wild Salmon
- Seafood Risotto
- Zucchini Spaghetti with Truffle Mushroom
- Wood Fired Roasted Chicken
The whole fish options are Aquarelle’s signature. Both branzino and dorade are grilled simply with lemon and capers, a preparation that puts the freshness of the fish at the center. The seafood risotto and Faroe Island salmon are strong choices for those who prefer something more composed on the plate.
Fourth Course Chef’s Choice Desserts
The meal closes with a rotating dessert selection chosen by the kitchen. Aquarelle’s full dessert menu includes house-made options like a citrus tart with vanilla gelato, a Basque cheesecake, and a classic tiramisu so the chef’s selection tends to reflect that same standard.
The Full Dinner Menu: More to Explore Beyond Restaurant Week
If you are visiting during NYC restaurant week but want to see what else the kitchen can do, Aquarelle’s regular dinner menu is worth knowing.
The raw bar alone is a destination. You can order oysters by the half dozen or dozen, a shrimp cocktail, or go further with the Deluxe Tower, a combination of clams, shrimp, oysters, half lobster, and ceviche or the Royal Tower, which adds a whole lobster and a trio of ceviche preparations. For those who want to go further, Aquarelle also offers Meredith Marks Caviar served with champagne and blinis, as well as caviar bumps.
Beyond the seafood, the dinner menu includes crudo, carpaccio, tartare, flatbreads, pastas like squid ink linguine with crab meat and lobster pasta, and land options including filet mignon and a surf and turf.
It is a menu that can anchor a serious dinner, not just a weeknight convenience.
Signature Cocktails Worth Ordering
The bar program at Aquarelle is built to complement the food. Signature cocktails are priced at $17 and carry the same creative sensibility as the kitchen. A few standouts:
- Aquarelle — lavender and elderflower liqueur with gin and prosecco
- L’Aquarelle — tequila, Ancho Reyes, lime, and agave
- Dejavu — lychee and yuzu with white rum and matcha
- L’Truffle Coffee Negroni — truffle and roasted coffee in a reworked negroni
- Forbidden Mezcal — smoky mezcal, yuzu, grapefruit, and plum salt
The wine list spans both white and red options with selections from New Zealand, Australia, and California. The program is curated specifically to work alongside fresh seafood.
Weekend Brunch at Aquarelle
If dinner during restaurant week fills up quickly and it can, Aquarelle also offers weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, with reservations available from 11am to 4pm. It is a good alternative for those who want to experience the space and the kitchen’s approach in a more relaxed setting.
Private Events and Special Occasions
Aquarelle is not only a restaurant but also a notable private event venue. The space accommodates birthday celebrations, corporate dinners, holiday parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, rehearsal dinners, and more. The private dining room with its yacht-inspired wooden paneling is particularly well-suited for smaller, more intimate gatherings. Dedicated event coordination and a seafood-focused menu make it a distinctive option in the East Village.
Planning Your Visit
Address: 47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 Phone: (212) 777-4547 Dinner: Monday through Sunday, reservations from 5pm to 1am Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, reservations from 11am to 4pm
Reservations are available through OpenTable. Given that restaurant week NYC draws significant foot traffic to participating restaurants, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price for Restaurant Week at Aquarelle NYC? The restaurant week menu at Aquarelle is $60 per person and includes four courses a first course, second course, third course, and chef’s choice dessert.
How many courses does the Aquarelle restaurant week menu include? Four courses: a salad starter, a seafood appetizer, a main course (including whole fish, salmon, risotto, and other options), and a chef’s choice dessert.
Does Aquarelle participate in NYC restaurant week every season? Aquarelle has a dedicated restaurant week menu. Check aquarellenyc.com/restaurant-week for the most current dates and availability.
Can I make a reservation for restaurant week at Aquarelle? Yes. Reservations can be made through OpenTable on the Aquarelle website or by calling (212) 777-4547. Booking ahead is recommended.
Does Aquarelle serve brunch? Yes. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays, with reservations from 11am to 4pm.
Is Aquarelle a good venue for private events in NYC? Aquarelle offers private dining for a range of occasions including birthdays, corporate events, holiday parties, and more. The restaurant has a dedicated private dining space and event coordination support.
A Seafood Experience Worth Making a Reservation For
Restaurant week in NYC is a moment the city looks forward to every season, and Aquarelle makes a strong case for why the East Village should be on your itinerary. Four thoughtfully constructed courses, a kitchen that takes freshness seriously, a cocktail program that earns its place on the menu, and a space that genuinely feels designed not assembled.
If you have been looking for a reason to visit, the restaurant week menu at $60 is one of the more compelling ones. Reserve your table at aquarellenyc.com before spots fill up.
