The story
Ai Fiori, on the second level of the Langham at 400 5th Avenue in New York City, is a Mediterranean-leaning Italian and French restaurant that earned Four-Star recognition from Forbes Travel Guide in 2026. The kitchen is built around handmade pasta and a menu shaped by the French and Italian Riviera.
Chef Lauren DeSteno draws on her own ties to the Mediterranean, with recent trips to Nice, Cannes and Monaco shaping the menu. Handmade pasta remains the signature, now served alongside coastal small plates and an expanded verdure section. The dishes are meant to be shared, with traditional recipes given a brighter, more contemporary twist.
The reinvented main courses include swordfish brochettes and a lamb and chicken roulade, both finished with a nautical-chic touch. Bar Fiori serves a bolognese and grilled market squash alongside its martinis. Mornings bring classic eggs, smoked salmon and avocado toast, with breakfast served on weekdays from 7:00 am and on weekends from 7:30 am.
Photographs of French and Italian scenes line the bar, and the staff wear cream jackets that echo the Riviera's sailing culture. Live jazz fills Bar Fiori on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday brings an all-vinyl global set from DJ Arjun. Martini Hour runs on weekday afternoons, pairing a martini with a Fiori Burger or half dozen oysters for $40. The wine program earned a Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2018.
Recognition
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Details
History
The upscale Midtown Manhattan eatery specializes in signature hand-made pastas.Chef Lauren DeSteno drew inspiration from her personal ties to the Mediterranean with recent trips to Nice, Cannes, and Monaco influencing the menu.Bar Fiori offers a daily Martini Hour, with an assortment of riffs on the classic and paired with bites such as the delicious bologneseand grilled market squash. Despite itsMidtown Manhattanlocation, Ai Fiori from the Altamarea Group (Marea, Osteria Morini, 53, and Cucina Morini) manages to transport you directly to the French and Italian Riviera; this is an oasis for foodies amid the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.The sights and smells of the Mediterranean prove to be Ai Fiori’s muse, permeating the seasonal menu and the design of the space, including the swanky bar outfitted with photographs of various French and Italian scenes.The restaurant seamlessly combines the culture and cuisine of both countries for a culinary concept that takes traditional dishes and adds a contemporary twist.
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