Famed Drink Masters mixologist Frankie Solarik to open BarChef in NYC with $43 cocktails

Famed mixologist Frankie Solarik is launching an outpost of his internationally acclaimed BarChef in New York — with specialty cocktails that will cost as much as $43, Side Dish has learned.Solarik, one of the judges on Netflix’s hit show, “Drink Masters,” is known for creating unique, multisensory cocktails that have what he calls an edible and experiential element. “I’m really excited to be in the city and to show New York what we can do after 16 years of pushing the boundaries of what a cocktail can be,” Solarik told Side Dish. “To bring that vision to one of the most dynamic and influential bar scenes in the world is an incredible opportunity.”BarChef – called one of the most innovative bars in the world by Food & Wine – will open in late March near Herald Square, at 21 W.35th St.

at Fifth Ave.His creative cocktails come with playful twists, and will be priced from around $22 to $43, Solarik said, adding that the priciest ones will be prepared on the kitchen counter and contain an “edible component, and a beautiful, multisensory auditorium of perspective, as I call it, with transporting textures, aromas and elements of nostalgia.” For example, the Illuminated Eucalyptus features Bacardi rum, Los Siete Misterios mezcal, coconut, thyme syrup, pastis, eucalyptus crushed ice, absinthe stone, white chocolate and pastis ice drops, green cardamom, white chocolate and nigori sake ice cube, balsam fir cream and white chocolate encapsulation. It was inspired by a rolling stream through a Japanese pebble garden, and looks like that as well, with pastel tones, confectionary coconut, hints of creamed sake and bright green spice with hints of smoke and liquorice. The details include melting white chocolate in water overnight — a process called “fat-washing” — and then transforming it into an ice cube with saki, so the flavor melts into the drink, Solarik said. A Charred Japanese highball features Toki Japanese whiskey, clarified le...