New York - August 07, 2000

Orsay Opens

Orsay Restaurant

It’s been one year, ten months, and 30 days since the legendary Mortimer’s closed its doors.

And, oh, the world has been aching.

Rest easy. Today Orsay, a new restaurant that’s a team project from the folks behind Le Colonial, La Goulue, and L’Absinthe, opens in its spot.

Here’s what to expect: 140 seats, French cuisine (with updated twists), a mosaic-tile floor imported from Paris, antique mirrors, a 22-foot oak bar, outdoor seating, loads of Upper East Sider attitude, and a menu that includes a tequila-spiked tuna-tartare, chilled lobster, and veal flank with ratatouille.

“We named it Orsay because we’re ambassadors of French cuisine and art,” says one of the owners, Francois Latapie.

How they’ll handle the brat whose Ferragamo slingbacks are too tight remains to be seen.

Scotch on the rocks anyone?

Orsay, 1057 Lexington Avenue, at 75th Street, (212-517-6400).