Eat At Britney's
Waiters at Nyla, Britney Spears' new New York restaurant, better watch out for fans hoarding matchbooks and stealing wine lists to sell on eBay. Britney created the restaurant's scripted logo, which is written in her own handwriting.
The singer-turned-restaurateur has left her mark in nearly every aspect of the 140-person eatery, slated to open in the Dylan Hotel, at 52 W. 41st St., later this month. Here's an advance look inside the eatery, named after Spears' two favorite places, New York and her home state of Louisiana. (She originally called it Pinky after the nickname bestowed on her by ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, but scrapped that idea after their messy break-up.)
In the kitchen, chef Michael Pereselay (of the now closed Mulholland Drive Café in L.A.) created dishes that remind Spears of her childhood. His soul food selections include grilled salmon with Mississippi caviar and sautéed southern greens ($17); southern fried chicken with potato Johnny cakes ($16); and a lobster salad appetizer with fried green tomatoes ($12).
The singer was instrumental in creating the restaurant's design and bright color scheme of pinks, reds and oranges.
When deciding how to decorate the restaurant, partner Bobby Ochs says he thought of adjectives that describe Spears like "bright, youthful, sexy, vibrant and energetic."
"She was interested in every aspect," says Ochs, who added that she vetoed a zebra print fabric for banquettes and requested candles for a warm lighting scheme.
The restaurant won't open its doors until June 27, but the buzz has already reached a fever pitch. Rudy Giuliani, Gov. Pataki and magician David Copperfield have RSVPed to the opening party - and celebs like J.Lo and Cher have also expressed interest in coming, says Berkowitz, who has been inundated with requests for invites.
Ochs insists the restaurant isn't just about Spears, though her celebrity will certainly rake in the crowds and the cash. Ochs' last restaurant, Mulholland Drive Café, was co-owned by Patrick Swayze in the '80s, but didn't survive his post-"Dirty Dancing" career.
Nyla "is not a theme restaurant," says Ochs. "It's not a monument to Britney. We are really going to run a sophisticated upscale New York restaurant in an upscale hotel."
