Pera Soho

Soho is mostly known for its trendy fashion venues, cafes, restaurants, and vibrant social lifestyles. As a New Yorker, I'm always out and about attending special events, but as of late (due to COVID) I've been focusing more on collaborating with some of the hottest restaurant spots to spread the word of their openings with social distancing protocols. Not many restaurants are fortunate to remain open, so my goal was/is to highlight places where you can still grab a good cocktail, and some small bites while adapting to the new norm.

For this feature, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Pera Soho. It's a Mediterranian retreat that has a great courtyard (with heat lamps for cooler weather) dining space, and a cozy upscale interior. The courtyard ambiance is definitely a vibe and makes for a perfect happy hour, dinner, and/or brunch spot with your favorite pals. As you walk into space for Pera Soho, you'll notice the huge brick backdrop from the building that's right next to it, and how the tables are set up to provide comfort in social distancing with your party. There are even areas available for private dining lined with red curtains, fancy. The decor/table settings feature a mixture of casual and upscale details, and as you make your way throughout the space you're easily transported into a summer garden opening, on warmer days in the city. For the tasting, I tried five of their signature cocktails along with four dishes that are recommended for your next eatery discovery. Here goes...
the DRINKS

WINTER DATE MARGARITA
• margarita, cinnamon, dates, tequila, lemon juice...by far my favorite, it's not on the menu, but you can ask for it.

SOHO BLOSSOM .... 14
• Sparkling wine, rosehip tea, orange blossom, St. Germa....great drink for brunch (somewhere in the bellini family), or happy hour

TURKISH APRICOT MARGARITA .... 14
• Olmeca Altos, apricot puree, Triple Sec, lime juice...

BLOOD ORANGE MARTINI .... 14
• Absolut, blood orange puree, orange bitters, lemon...zesty, and refreshing


SPICY CUCUMBER COOLER .... 14
• Barton, fresh cucumber juice, serrano chili, lemon....refreshing, and nicely garnished with sides dipped in pepper flakes

the EATS

PORTUGUESE FRIED CALAMARI ...16
Soujouk, cherry peppers, Calabrian aioli, lemon...good serving size, the combination of cherry peppers + sauce brought out the flavor of the calamari

HUMMUS (V) ….9
• Toasted garbanzo beans, tahini, garlic, shallots, paprika....served with fresh pita chips


MEDITERRANEAN OCTOPUS ....19
• Fingerling potato, romesco, lentil, herb salad...loved the potatoes, decent sauce with added lentil

MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS ....15
• Stewed tomato, feta, and oregano...served with fresh n' soft pita bread


So there you have it. The Pera Soho experience was delightful, from the ambiance to the cocktails + bites I tried. If you're looking for a place to hang out with friends, or a date for happy hours in a nice courtyard setup, or an upscale inside vibe....be sure to check it out. It's located at 50 Thompson Street, New York NY.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Latain PALMER

lifestyle editor @LaLove1010