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Veteran restaurateurs Igor Drca and Miljan Komnenic have unveiled their newest venture, Marsanne, a Mediterranean dining concept nestled on a bustling corner of New York’s Chelsea neighborhood.
The 4,300-square-foot restaurant seats up to 150 guests, making it the largest project by the duo, who also run Recette in Brooklyn and the Consulate on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
A design that connects to nature
Upon stepping through its full glass façade, guests are greeted by a 15-seat bar that opens out into a front dining room featuring ample seating, wooden tables, and light gray upholstered chairs. Beyond, a second dining room sits beside a moss-toned open kitchen.
Marsanne’s contemporary design was created in collaboration with designer Larisa Mihajlova. Honing in on a connection to nature, lush greenery fills the interiors, with plants suspended from ceiling fixtures as well as potted across the floor. The natural aesthetic is amplified via wood tones, light concrete, and volcanic rock, and punctuated by pops of color and geometric shapes.
“By seamlessly weaving natural elements and patterns into the fabric of the space, guests are enveloped in an environment that feels both organic and immersive,” Mihajlova explains.
Semi-private dining at Marsanne
Just behind the open kitchen is a 40-seat semi-private dining space, known as Le Mascaret Room, named after the spectacular, rare tidal wave that occurs in France, celebrated by locals and visitors alike.
As a nod to this natural phenomenon, one wall of the dining space is canvased with a custom undulating wooden sculpture reminiscent of ocean waves. It can also be interpreted to represent the twists of grape vines, a reflection of the restaurant’s Mediterranean flair. Rounding out the semi-private room is a glass-encased wine cellar that houses more than 700 bottles.
“[An] interplay of light and shadow adds a dynamic quality to the walls, making them appear almost alive as they shift and change throughout the day,” says Mihajlova. “The tactile experience of these materials creates an immersive atmosphere that engages all the senses.”
Rooftop by Marsanne
Marsanne’s grand finale is a hidden rooftop, which is part of the adjacent Moore Hotel. Rooftop by Marsanne holds 75 standing and 35 seated, and boasts a view of the Empire State Building.
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