Addison Hospitality Group’s (AHG) President and CEO, Ric Addison and restaurateur Jeff Lam, are pleased to announce the opening of Craven, a restaurant, bar and lounge located at 346 West 40th Street. The eatery is AHG’s first standalone restaurant and an addition to the portfolio’s premier hospitality destinations, Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge and Lovage Rooftop & Indoor Lounge, as well as Lam’s New York Times’ two-star rated Chinese Tuxedo.
“I am pleased to launch Craven Restaurant, which the AHG team believes is poised to become a neighborhood gem,” states Ric Addison. “Craven blends the gritty and stylish vibes of the Lower East Side and Brooklyn, while staying true to Hell’s Kitchen’s roots, its locals, and visitors.”
Brooklyn-born Executive Chef Scott Andriani’s menu interprets all-American favorites and popular comfort foods, which have been categorized by Craveables, Shareables, and Unforgettables. Items include Buffalo Cauliflower, Chicken Fried Tofu, and a variety of tacos like the Pork Shoulder Al Pastor, Tuna Tartare, and Beyond Vegan Cafeteria Style. Chef Andriani comes from North River and Oro Restaurant.
The design of Craven is eclectic-chic with edgy, vivid botanical fabrics and a modern dash of airy Havana style. Bright pops of Christian Lacroix palm and cactus panorama fabric cover mid-century modern lounge chairs, bringing the idea of Lounge and Eat to 40th Street. Hand-painted ink-black iguana wall murals, Timorous Beasties wallpaper and bursts of rattan chandeliers that are dimly lit among the cast iron ceiling structures invite you to enjoy the relaxed, casual vibe. The high ceilings and large windows create an airy interior complemented by large mosaic honeycomb flooring and white brick columns accented with geometric wood shelves. The flickering of candles on the wall invites you to drink, dine, and hang-out in the lounge-inspired curved booths. Hidden behind a wall of plants, the front lounge is an intimate space accented with bright green sofas and rattan and Mongolian sheepskin chairs with tiled metallic tables. The chic mix of pop colors and rich textures create a stylish and inviting vibe. In addition, Craven’s expansive patio is adorned with lush greenery and chic tropical furnishings, creating an elegant and intimate experience for outdoor dining and cocktail service.
Addison Hospitality Group’s background spans more than 15 years in Manhattan nightlife with such recognizable and memorable venues such as Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge, Lovage Rooftop & Indoor Lounge, Ava Rooftop Lounge at Dream Hotel, Inc Lounge at Time Hotel, and The Bar at Dream Hotel.
Ric Addison is President of Addison Hospitality Group and began his career 25 years ago. Addison is renowned for his leading New York nightlife destinations, including critically-acclaimed Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge, Lovage Rooftop & Indoor Lounge, AVA Rooftop Lounge at Dream Hotel, The Bar at Dream Hotel and Inc Lounge at Time Hotel. Praised for the sought-after venues, Addison Hospitality Group’s properties have received accolades from top tier news outlets, including the New York Times, USA Today, and New York Magazine.
For more than two decades, Jeff Lam has been a restaurateur and developer for New York City’s finest restaurants. With a keen eye for design, he has been at the helm of award-winning projects such as Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge, 1 Republik, The Grayson, The Liberty, Tessa, The Bowery Beer Garden, and most recently, Chinese Tuxedo, which received two stars from the New York Times’ dining critic Pete Wells.