The proprietor is on vacation from designing million-dollar homes, and every surface shows the touch of an architect gone wild. From the walls of molded puce orchid (there's three words you never thought you'd see together) to the black glass chandelier hanging over your plate, it's like a design school dream of a French restaurant. But the name "Lupanar" is provincial French slang for brothel—the old country destination for good food, absinthe and courtesans—so maybe it's a dream with a little more action.

Address:     See Map
103 Essex St.
New York , NY   10002
Phone: (212) 260-2036