Introduction to Lily Pond
For most restaurateurs, serving free drinks would be a losing proposition. However, for Michael Della Femina, who recently opened a branch of his Beverly Hills hit Croft Alley in Soho, it’s all about building community. At the West Coast location, he installed a vintage red light at a bar, visible from the outside, which employees turn on to let both passersby and customers inside know that free cocktails are being served.
The Concept of Free Drinks
The concept has become a fun little speakeasy for a few years now, and Della Femina plans to continue that tradition in New York City. "The locals know that when it’s on, cocktails are on the house. It’s become a thing, especially for the neighbors and the people who work in the neighborhood. It’s about the locals." Della Femina also mentioned that they make a great martini.
Lily Pond Restaurant
Lily Pond, which recently opened in the West Village, is named after East Hampton Street, near which Della Femina’s family once had a summer home. The restaurant is a family affair, with Della Femina’s wife Laurie helping him run the show, and their son Jack handling the coffee. The menu features "upscale pub fare" — bistro fare with French and Korean influences — and aims for a similar atmosphere to the fun-filled East Hampton summers of Della Femina’s youth.
Menu and Atmosphere
The menu includes comfort food-inspired dishes such as a special egg salad with a Sullivan Street Bakery bun, kimchi Reuben, and chopped salads. The restaurant also features a "bodega riff" and has something of a cute little space with 25 seats. Della Femina described the atmosphere as "really intimate" and plans to launch a Big Apple edition of his weekly, invitation-only L.A. cocktail club called Martini Confidential once the restaurant gets a liquor license.
Hospitality Ethos
Della Femina plans to hand out lots of treats along with free cocktails from time to time. "We love giving treats to our neighbors, regulars and new guests, whether it be amazing cookies, martinis, waffles, champagne or other surprises," he said. "It’s not a cheesy freebie, it’s part of our hospitality ethos." The restaurant’s goal is to create a sense of community and make customers feel welcome and valued.
Other Restaurant News
In other restaurant news, chef Eyal Shani of Shmoné, the Michelin-starred restaurant in the West Village, is opening a new Miami restaurant called Bella. Bella will be an Italian eatery and is scheduled to open the week of January 26th at the Liberty Park Hotel in Miami Beach. Shani currently manages 60 locations worldwide, including five Miznon locations in New York. Shmoné has retained its Michelin star with its current chef Orianne Shapira, who is celebrating her anniversary as chef this month.
