on 53rd street and park avenue, on the south side of the landmark Lever House building, you will find the entrance. this entrance takes me back to 2003, and was to be a passage to another entry that is now a luvMUST. the Lever House was designed by Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore,Owings and Merrill and built in 1952, as the headquarters for the Lever Brothers soap and detergent multinational company. this was the first glass and stainless steel skyscraper on park avenue, which became the standard for office towers built, including the Mies van der Rohe‘s Seagram Building, just across the street. the Lever House had not ever had a restaurant on its premise, and in 2003, for the first time ever, a restaurant opened. i passed through that entrance for the first time then, and exited quickly, as the Marc Newson design and ‘lever house restaurant’ had an odd effect on me. that restaurant closed in 2009, and months later that year, the Sant Ambroeus group, a luvFAB venue, opened a new restaurant, Casa Lever, in that space. although the former interior space was slightly altered, the small details that were changed, made a huge difference. the Paolo Venini chandeliers, small red tables set in the front, the colour of the paint on the walls and the art, indeed changed the vibe. i can rave about the art. Aby Rosen, the art collector and real estate magnate who owns the building, as part of the lease agreement, loaned his fantastic collection of Andy Warhol prints to hang on the creamy walls. but it’s not all just about luvSTUFF. i must say that although these details do make Casa Lever an interesting restaurant, what does it for me, is its luvMUST italian cuisine. i must rave about the italian cuisine. this cuisine is an honest feast for the appetite. the straightforward cuisine, not creative or nouvelle, with the best ingredients possible, is served with attentive and courteous service. the menu offers milanese dishes cooked to perfection, as well as other italian specialties. the desserts, homemade pastries and gelatos are just the best, difficult to resist, but i must finish my meal with the delicious mini palmiers. when in the city, lunch at Casa Lever is a luvMUST. during spring and summer, the warm weather allows for ‘al fresco’ service in the divine courtyard and quite enjoyable for drinks and small bites as well. i did not think then, that years later, i would pass again through that entrance door and discover a luvFIND. the entrance to Casa Lever is an entry to luvFAB italian cuisine that is just for thebestdressup now!
you should not overlook this entrance, off park ave on 53rd street. this is the entrance to Casa Lever. it’s quite an understated entrance, as signs in landmark buildings have strict restrictions. this entrance is a luvFIND for thebestdressup now!
adil avunduk is the superb maitre d’hotel at Casa Lever. he assures, with his warm reception and professional service, that you will feel ‘at home’ and this is ‘a casa’ for thebestdressup now!
attentive service, while you savour your food and enjoy the Andy Warhol prints, make this a luvFAB restaurant experience just for thebestdressup now!
in the rear, with sound proof glass doors, is the very private dining room. there now hang two different Andy Warhol prints. judy garland has replaced dennis hopper. i do wonder what giorgio armani (he is still hanging on…the wall!) thinks of his new company. yes, wondering…but not about Casa Lever. you will have no doubts about this fine italian cuisine that is just for thebestdressup now!
