Midtown West gets a new cocktail bar with Chez Zou

New openings continue at a brisk pace in the city center Manhattan West development, with the opening of its latest cocktail destination on Tuesday.

At Zou’s follows by Chef Madeline Sperling modern and popular Eastern Mediterranean restaurant Chez Zou Zouwho was one of fall’s most anticipated openings. The stylish spot shares some of the original’s design cues, like verdant greenery arrangements and potted plants, vibrant jewel tones, and lush textiles. The cozy alcove bar seats six, and curved armchairs, ottomans, and banquettes are spread across a black-and-white geometric floor set a few floors above the restaurant. An outdoor terrace will also come into service this spring.

Photography: Courtesy of Chez Zou

Bar manager Joey Smith (recently from The Nomad) is behind the drinks menu, organized into six categories: Jarras, stiff, shaken drinks, coladas, highballs and bubbles. Expect cocktails like the Dirty Zou (vodka washed in olive oil, vine leaf, olives stuffed with Levantine cheese), Banana Danse (bourbon, banana, cardamom, chocolate, coconut) and Fig and Honey (sherry, red wine, fig leaf, honey, soda, compressed fig). Artisan snacks from Sperling like zucchini fries and Scotch olives.

Chez Zou is on the fourth floor of Manhattan West Plaza at 385 Ninth Avenue. To enter, you will pass through Zou Zou’s and take the elevator past the guest gallery, which opens into the lounge. Chez Zou will be open for walk-ins only Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. starting Tuesday, March 9.

Joshua B. Speller