Tonight’s the night Moscow 57 officially becomes Kapowski’s. As reported during the summer, proprietor Ellen Kaye took on a partner, longtime Lower East Side nightlife operator Tony Powe. Together, they are relaunching the restaurant and performance space at 168 Delancey St.
Recently we spoke with Kaye about their plans to tweak the Moscow 57 concept, which was built around the cuisine made famous by her parents at the legendary Russian Tea Room. The original establishment, opened in February 2014, was forced to operate without gas for eight months, depriving Kaye and partners Seth Goldman and Ethan Fein of invaluable publicity.
Powe, who recently sold the cocktail bar 2nd Floor on Clinton, will be bringing his own sensibilities to Kapowski’s. The drink menu has been revamped and elevated, plus there’s a brand new wine list. Chef Nikita Ponomarev has incorporated European influences in the Central Asian menu. The emphasis now will be on lighter fare and small plates. The cabaret program will start a little later in the evening, giving guests a chance to enjoy their meals in a slightly less frenetic atmosphere.
Kaye said she and Powe hit it off right away and they’re excited about combining their visions. “The place has a great soulful spirit,” she said. “We want to hold on to that while taking Kapowski’s in a new direction.”
If you’d like to have a look at Kapowski’s new menus, check out their website.
