You probably don’t have to be a Catholic to know that confessionals see their fair share of sinners. While a heavy heart may be the ticket to get inside most, the newest one in town demands a little more from its participants. As it turns out, your behavior during dinner just may determine whether or not you get to experience the Theater District’s newest Confessional.
From Josh Kessler and John Creger, The Lotus Room is a newly opened restaurant just a short walk from Rockefeller Center. Down one floor from street level, guests enter a romantic, candlelit space. This atmosphere is a good fit for date night, and the menu offers innovative cocktails and contemporary Asian cuisine.
First Things First
On a recent visit, I had the opportunity to try several of their standout dishes created by Executive Chef Creger. For starters, a fave was the Black Truffle Lobster Dumplings. These juicy pouches were filled with sweet lobster and served with yuzu ponzu sauce. The Toro Tacos were also a treat, featuring fresh toro, avocado mousse, chili mayo, yuzu nori, and tobiko, all served in a satisfyingly crunchy wonton shell. I also loved the heat and texture of the Spicy Sesame Cucumber Salad.
Wash It Down
For drinks, diners can stick with sake or try one of the tipples from the tempting list of cocktails Beverage Director Valenda Richardson has curated. The N.I.B. is a delicious, spicy mezcal concoction with complementary flavors including peach and chili pepper soju and gochujang. I also tried the Okinawa Fashion, made with Japanese whisky and sakura bitters. This robust drink has a lovely presentation involving smoking oak chips to flavor the glass before serving.
The Main Event
For mains, the Wagyu Skewers were so meaty and savory, and the tender chicken and spicy peanut sauce in the Chicken Satay hit all the right notes. For something a little more filling, the Dan Dan Noodles with ground wagyu beef, a cured egg yolk, and wheat noodles is a great choice.
Don’t Mind If I Do
Every part of this meal was above par, but one of my favorite dishes was the dessert, a limited-time Basque cheesecake made with sweet potatoes and tapioca pearls. It was divine! Soon after finishing, I received a small card confirming I had (barely?) given off the right energy to be invited to Confessional.
Acknowledge Your Sinful Ways
Tucked away behind The Lotus Room is a speakeasy with full-on gothic allure. Just past the latticed 1899 wooden door of the confessional, everyone inside couldn’t help but discuss all the creative possibilities the moody space could inspire. There is a smaller menu on offer here and more creative cocktails, but it’s the ambiance that’s impossible to ignore. If there’s such a thing as “sexy spooky,” then Confessional nailed it, and just in time for Halloween, no less.
Reservations for The Lotus Room can be made on OpenTable here, but you’ll have to charm your own way into Confessional.
