Dori’s World: Inside Lion, The Newest Trend Ruling NYC’s Culinary Scene

Want to know the new resto that all the cool kids are flocking to for upscale dining in NYC? If you are one of them, then you already know that The Lion on West Ninth Street is the it spot for celebrities with a penchant for culinary treats. This is because the New York City restaurant comes courtesy of Chef John DeLucie—partner in Graydon Carter’s Waverly Inn—and Mark Amadei, owner of Delicatessen. The 140-seat, two-story dining venue has been billed as a throwback to Delmonico’s, serving up entrees that makes American palates salivate, like steaks and fancy burgers.

My first visit to the trendy restaurant was on Monday night for the after-party of Andrew Saffir’s Cinema Society movie premiere of Multiple Sarcasms, (check the Haute Living events page for pics from the evening). Appleton Estate Rum sponsored the exclusive event, which featured signature cocktails like the Jamaican Breeze and the Old Jamaican.

The packed space was buzzing with celebs and socialites like Mira Sorvino, Dana Delany, India Ennenga (cast), Laila Robins (cast), writer/director Brooks Branch, Joan Allen, Anthony Mackie (“The Hurt Locker”), John Leguizamo, Donna Karan, Joel Schumacher, Alan Cumming, and many others.

Last night was the first night of tastings for the venue, which has yet to officially open its doors to the public. I was fortunate enough to be included on the invite list, and was thrilled to sample the savory treats along with A-list celebs like Ashton and Demi, Lucy Sykes, Devon Schuster & Philip Radziwill, Zani Gugelmann, Inga and Keith Rubenstein, Jennifer Raines, Derek Blasberg, author of Classy.

Tonight, Diane von Furstenburg and Marjorie Gubelmann will be hitting up Lion. With bold-faced names like these on the reservation list, this is definitely a dining venue that I will be checking out on a regular basis from now on. For now, my tip is that if you are lucky enough to be invited on the tour upstairs, take it!