Next month, some trendy spots from Beverly Hills—think Leonardo DiCaprio and Kendall Jenner—are setting up shop in Manhattan’s stylish SoHo area.
Croft Alley, brought to life by restaurateur Michael Della Femina, will open its doors at 210 Sixth Ave., where the Greek restaurant Lola Taverna used to be until its closure in June. Della Femina aims to serve “inspired and comfortable food.”
Interestingly, Della Femina comes from an advertising background; her father, Jerry Della Femina, is a notable figure in the industry. His memoir is said to have inspired “Mad Men.” The family has a rich history in dining; Jerry owned a popular restaurant in East Hampton that operated for nearly two decades before closing in 2011.
Spanning about 1,500 square feet, Croft Alley includes both indoor and outdoor seating, accessible via MacDougal Street and Sixth Avenue.
Her partners in this venture include Adam Rubin, Andrew Shanfeld, Madison Bright, and Chef Phuong Tran. The menu offers all-day options, with signature items like a $30 soft scrambled eggs dish featuring black truffles, avocado, and prosciutto.
Della Femina mentioned that she’s always been drawn to the SoHo neighborhood, as her grandfather had roots in the area where a restaurant now stands—today’s Blue Ribbon Sushi. She has a background in running the Stork Club on Sullivan Street and has tied up with director/producer Michael Mailer for a project currently in production in both LA and NYC.
The series will explore the quirky lives of those in the restaurant industry, illustrating the chaotic yet vibrant atmosphere, rife with eccentric staff and unpredictable neighbors.
Croft Alley made its mark in Los Angeles for 11 years, initially at the Standard Hotel in West Hollywood, serving around the clock until the pandemic. Della Femina described the Beverly Hills location as a breakfast and lunch spot, complete with cocktail clubs for the evening crowd. Now, she’s excited to expand to New York, which feels like a logical step given the requests from her LA patrons.
After four years of searching for the ideal space, Della Femina remarked on the strong influence her father has been in her culinary journey:
“I still can taste some of those dishes,” she reflected, hinting at nostalgic flavors that inspired her. The stylish decor is likely to feature 1940s radios, adding a unique touch reminiscent of her family’s past.
Meanwhile, a few other spots in NYC are launching exciting brunch offerings this weekend. Fresco by Scotto, run by the family of Good Day New York’s Rosanna Scotto, is introducing a Saturday brunch filled with live music and dishes like tiramisu pancakes and truffle egg toast.
West Village’s Del Anima is also debuting brunch with an Italian twist, boasting items like roasted eggs with pancetta and new fall cocktails. Meanwhile, nearby, Kant West Village has opened a sister cafe called CantoCafé, serving trendy breakfast wraps and homemade pasta.
It seems like the NYC dining scene is setting up for a lively fall, with new experiences in every corner.
