I was struck with deja vu when we walked inside this beautiful space. I really felt like I had been there before, but not as Serafina's. The space is pretty unique. There is a beautiful trey ceiling with intricate moulding work. There's an amber lighting/stone boarder that brings the space warmth. The color palette is mainly ivory and tan. The restaurant has a round feeling to it, although it is split into a lounge area and the main dining room/bar. A long time ago my friend and I had gone to a restaurant with a similar, round feeling for Restaurant Week. For the life of me I couldn't remember the name of that restaurant but in researching for this post I discovered it. This beautiful space was once the famed restaurant Radius and I had in fact been there before. (Not that you care, but it was really bugging me 😀) Apparently, Serafina's is a chain, but it certainly does not feel like one.
I loved the feeling of this restaurant. It was quaint and cozy even though it's a really big space. The bar is round in the back of the dining room. I definitely think JO and I could enjoy the bar in the future. The service was great and the prosecco was delicious (this is usually how I judge places nowadays 😏) The menu had lots of options at lots of different prices, which is also a really big plus.
I had intended to get pasta but they had a shrimp, arugula, white bean salad in a champagne mustard vinaigrette on the menu that I couldn't resist. They had me at champagne mustard vinaigrette! The beans were marinated perfectly and the shrimp were excellent! The dressing was perfect. My only complaint was that there was some sort of cream drizzled on the avocado that wasn't really needed. JO got the bolognese (because that's his litmus test for restaurants) and he said it was quite good. I tried some and have to agree. The sauce had a really rich flavor and they used rigatoni which I always appreciate because you are just asking for trouble with linguini or pasta and red sauce. We weren't going to get dessert but I couldn't pass up on the tiramisu and that was also delicious!!! So overall, two thumbs up for this place (and I didn't even tell you about the pizza that looks absolutely delicious) so if you're looking for a place to try in the Financial District, this is your place!
After dinner we headed over to Bond in the Langham Hotel. I love this place and we don't go here nearly enough. Bond is the bar/lounge for the Langham and is in an old bank vault. The ceilings are soaring, the lighting is dim, lounge seating abounds, and gorgeous, over the top chandeliers grace the ceiling. I had heard the hotel was going to close for a year this spring so I wanted to make sure we got some visits in before then. We had a lovely time with our drinks (JO's Hendrick's gin cocktail was served in a Hendrick's tea cup that I must have now) planning our next adventure and talking about the holiday season in the city.
Sadly, I heard the next day that Bond is closed and will only host private events from now on. I'm so disappointed. Hopefully after the renovations it will open again because it is truly a special space in the city.
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