When thinking of Weehawken, many may picture Alexander Hamilton’s famous duel with Aaron Burr or the Lincoln Tunnel helix, but it’s also becoming known as a dining hotspot. DRIFT Restaurant & Bar is the latest addition to the booming Lincoln Harbor district, contributing to this transformation along the Hudson, joining other popular spots like Faubourg Weehawken.
DRIFT is the latest venture from celebrated restaurateur Jeremy Casilli, known for Jersey City’s Hudson & Co., Tribeca’s AOA Bar and Grill, Edgewater’s Pier 115 and 3 Westerly in Ossining. The 17,000-square-foot space, occupied for years by Houlihan’s, has been vacant since 2019, but 1200 Harbor Boulevard has undergone a complete transformation and could prove to be Casilli’s boldest bet to date.
The mid-century modern interior was inspired by Henry Hudson’s Half Moon vessel and designed by Vanessa Deleon, founder of Manhattan’s interior design firm VDA Designs in conjunction with Sasi Kissane, the founder of Zilkz Studios.
The biggest highlight will be an innovative rotating dining platform. Guests will enjoy stellar NYC views as the platform completes a full rotation every hour. The restaurant will also feature a 100-linear-foot brass and emerald green, 3D tiled, rectangular bar where patrons can watch chefs prepare sushi and crudo. The catch of the day will be displayed on an imposing ice mountain.
To keep the dining room intimate there will be soundproofing tucked away in recessed ceiling coves and large olive trees purposefully placed throughout the space. The 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace will offer a retractable pergola, allowing guests to drink and dine al fresco, rain or shine, and enjoy the Summer House Patio bar.
Executive Chef Bryan Noury is crafting a menu centered on Modern American cuisine with global influences and an emphasis on seafood. There will be a broad selection of small plates for sharing, sushi and hand rolls, a raw bar, several line-caught fish offerings, steaks, flatbread pizzas and much more. There will be delicious options for those with dietary restrictions as well.
Drift operations will be overseen by Wander Debrito, Vice President of Operations at Casilli’s 3 Group Hospitality.
“We are thrilled to introduce DRIFT Restaurant & Bar to the Weehawken community and beyond,” said Jeremy Casilli, owner. “While we’ve assembled an exceptional, award-winning team for the Drift brand, our goal is to provide a relaxed and welcoming dining experience that still highlights the standout elements of our culinary offerings. With our unique blend of cuisine, pioneering craft cocktails, and the innovative rotating platform, we aim to redefine the dining experience along the Gold Coast. Join us this fall as Chef Bryan Noury embarks on this exciting new chapter, bringing his passion and creativity to Drift.”
The opening date will be announced soon.
