SoHo’s seafood scene continues to make a splash, thanks to the opening of Principe.
Led by chef Abram Bissell, the seafood-focused restaurant on the corner of West Broadway and Prince street melds local and coastal Italian influences. Chef Bissell reconnected with like-minded hospitality veterans from his former posts at The Modern, The NoMad, and Eleven Madison Park to create a comprehensive, talented leadership team.
“Seeing this project come to fruition is a tremendous milestone for me and our team,” said Bissell. “What I’ve learned as a chef is that people simply want to feel cared for. What we have created as a team is a space that feels warm and inviting. We value connecting with our guests and aim to provide a culinary experience that feels indulgent yet approachable, be it a cocktail at the bar or a celebratory dinner.”
Outside Principe in SoHo
At the helm of Principe’s pastry, pasta and bread programs is Chef di Farina (aka Chef of Flour), Rebecca Isbel. She previously worked alongside Bissell as the NoMad’s Pastry Chef, and her new role aims to blur traditional culinary roles, instead honing in on the team’s strengths and passions. The in-house pasta program features Italian classics, such as a brown butter basil tortellini in winter vegetable brodo, Isbel’s creations also expand beyond flour to the seasonal house-made frozen treats and gelato.
Of course, the pasta is just a warm-up for Bissell’s shareable Italian-inflected entrees, including a charcoal roasted turbot and lobster for two. Other seafood highlights include a vast raw bar, including Jonah Crab Claws wrapped in mustard leaves.
A selection of pastas at Principe
Robert Goldman, Founder of Bleecker Street Hospitality Group and Founding Partner of Saint Theo’s, partnered with Bissel to bring Principe to life.
“It is an honor to work alongside Chef Bissell and his team once again since our time together at the Nomad Hotel,” stated Principe Founding Partner, Robert Goldman. “Principe brings the dedication of an exalted class of professional hospitality creators doing what we love to do. Principe embodies Abram’s style as a world-class chef and my vision as a New York restaurateur. We are thrilled to expand the SoHo restaurant community and provide guests with a warm atmosphere and experience rooted in top talent at all levels in the development of this menu and culinary team.”
Just like the menu, Principe’s interiors draw inspiration from both New York City and the Italian coast. Natural light floods the two-storied space, which is connected by a concrete cantilever staircase that cascades beneath a custom-made Venetian glass chandelier by Italian lighting artisans, Sogni di Cristallo. Designer Katie Vogelsang of Studio Vogelsang leveraged the SoHo space’s raw materials, such as concrete walls, wood trusses, and an expansive skylight, as a foundation to add modern-Italian influences. Warm and cool tones reference the Italian coastline, enhanced by rich textures and fabrics including Venetian plaster, lush greenery, mother-of-pearl accents, and inviting velvet banquettes, creating an environment that feels lively and refined expressing the power of the sea.
Principe opens on Thursday, March 9 at 450 West Broadway. Reservations available via Resy.