Aqua New York is a recent addition to the Flatiron dining scene that demands attention, if only for its sheer ambition and scale. This massive 24,000-square-foot restaurant, from the same group behind the acclaimed Hutong, offers a unique concept: two distinct culinary experiences under one soaring roof.

The restaurant features “two separate restaurants – Aqua Roma and Aqua Kyoto – each a master of its own cuisine” with a menu that reads Italian from the front and Japanese from the back.

The space itself is undeniably dramatic, with an impressive central bar and an “installation crafted in hemp mussel rope” that extends up to the “25-foot-high vaulted ceiling.” With capacity for 432 diners, this venue has clearly spared no expense in creating a visually stunning environment. The concept allows you to order from either cuisine or create your own unique combination – perhaps starting with Japanese sushi before moving on to Italian pasta.

However, early reviews suggest the restaurant is still finding its footing. One critical diner described it as having “slick Vegas decor if you look up, but the tables and chairs are cheap banquet hall quality” and complained that the suggested mixed cuisine approach didn’t work well in practice. Meanwhile, other reviewers highlighted standout dishes like the “Malfalde–a hearty oxtail ragu topped with white truffle” and the tableside tiramisu presentation available in both classic and matcha flavors.

Aqua New York aims to be both a culinary destination and a see-and-be-seen hotspot with its impressive bar area. Whether the ambitious concept will ultimately succeed remains to be seen, but it’s certainly making a splash in a city that’s seen it all.