New York - May 31, 2002

Jingle Django

Django Restaurant

In Woody Allen’s Sweet and Lowdown, the main character faints over gypsy-jazz-guitar legend Django Reinhardt. What, then, to expect of a restaurant named after him?

A lot.

Ready to be impressed? The guys behind Django, which opens today, are veterans of Union Pacific, Rain, and Calle Ocho. Pedigree they are not lacking.

David Rockwell designed the 11,000-square-foot, bi-level space with a 30-foot antique mirror above the bar (smile already — you’re gorgeous!), 1,250,000 glass beads strung from ceiling to floor (not that we counted), and Murano glass chandeliers. Over-the-top? It’ll add jazz to the midtown east ‘hood. And the food looks just as good. (Can you ever get enough French-American standards like steak au poivre, bouillabaisse, escargot with sweet potato chips, and a killer pastry menu?)

Come summer, kick back, have a cocktail, and smell the lavender at the outdoor cafe.

It’s enough to make any gypsy soul swoon.

Django, 480 Lexington Avenue, at 46th Street (212-871-6600). Until June 7, DailyCandy readers who bring in a copy of this e-mail will receive 20 percent off the total food bill.