Happy Hour at Hav & Mar in NYC, with a Serving of Art
Happy Hours offer the public a taste of what’s to come. One can test out the cuisine before investing two bills in a dinner out. At Hav & Mar, Marcus Samuelsson’s newest NYC restaurant, you’ll enjoy an added bonus…a serving of art from Derrick Adams.
Marcus Samuelsson‘s Hav & Mar
The renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson opened another restaurant in NYC in 2023 with Executive Chef Fariyal Abdullahi. Hav & Mar, dubbed a seafood house is located in the Starrett Lehigh Building on 11th Avenue. The restaurant features a large circular bar area in the middle of the expansive dining room.
The Art of Derrick Adams
Artist Derrick Adams was commissioned to create the art at Hav & Mar. Adams artwork spotlights the culture of Black America. The artist worked closely with Saumuelsson to create a cohesive theme to welcome “visual thinkers” from the Chelsea arts community. The central figures are Mermaids who reside high above dining room overlooking the restaurant. Adams explained that he wanted to include a mythical accent. The mermaid is a beacon of hope.
As we all know art means something different for everyone. My first impression walking into the restaurant was an overall feeling of cheeriness. His patchwork style of art on each mermaid signaled an instant relaxed vibe in my own mind. It brought me home, back to my grandmother’s quilt, in a safe space filled of love. Now that makes for a great place to enjoy a meal with a friend.
Visiting my hometown, can be stressful. But meeting up with my good friend Robin Jones always lifts my spirits. Hav & Mar was the perfect place. I spent most of my day taking in new art shows in the area. See below for more article links about the art and galleries, and also Robin Jones.
Happy Hour at Hav & Mar
As is often the case, Happy Hour is available only at the bar. The eatery opens at 5pm…and it soon filled up with patrons laughing and clinking glasses. We tasted a few items off the tiny yet yummy HH menu. We both started with a glass of 2021 Boschendal Western Cape. South Africa Pinot Noir. This was lovely. On the nose the fragrance of floral was most prominent to me, while the taste of dark berries, and oak awakened by tastebuds with a lingering tinge of strawberry. Needless to say, we enjoyed a second glass of the pinot.
Next we ordered oysters, which were so light and flavorful. Priced per oyster, we ended up ordering additional ones as well. The mini lobster rolls were also quite tasty. Displayed as one toasted bun, the three attached mini rolls proved to be easy to handle. The berbere spice (chili peppers, coriander, garlic, ginger, Ethiopian holy basil, etc.) brought a nice zest to the dish, and worked well with the lobster.
New Friends….Links & More
Later in the evening we made friends with a woman who sat near us at the bar. She ordered the Mar, Teeny (half-sized Hav & Martini: vodka & gin, pickled red onion, blue cheese olive), along with her oysters. She said it was an exceptional combo. Finally we ordered a cornbread for dessert. We even shared it with our new friend. This was a large portion, and a warm and delightful ending to a fun girl’s night.
Remember to always check the Hav & Mar website as menus change. If you are a fan of Marcus Samuelsson, CLICK HERE to read my Red Rooster Harlem review, with a lot more dishes featured. This restaurant has a strong art component as well. CLICK HERE for info on international Chelsea Galleries, as well as HERE for my favorite artists exhibiting in Chelsea. Or CLICK HERE to find out more about my buddy Robin Jones, a longtime New Yorker, who picked up and moved to Virginia. It’s a great story.
Hav & Mar, Starrett Lehigh Building, 245 11th Ave., NYC, 10001 (NW corner of W. 26th and 11th Ave.); https://www.havandmar.com
