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| Dining Incognito |
The Harrison
Anthony Giglio
07/01/2004
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When Red Cat owners Jimmy Bradley and Danny Abrams opened their second
restaurant, the Harrison, in October 2001, they again proved that their
synergistic combination of bold, seasonally inspired cooking, gracious service
and thoughtful decor was exactly in tune with what this corner of Tribeca
needed: casual elegance.
Located at 355 Greenwich Street, the Harrison sits
squarely in the heart of one of the most upwardly mobile family neighborhoods in
Manhattan, as well as near hundreds of businesses in the financial district, a
10-minute walk to the south. The decor, however, could not be further from Wall
Street, as architect and designer Mark Zeff melds design elements from Bradley’s
New England heritage and Tribeca’s sleek industrial backdrop, cleverly combining
natural wood, cold-rolled steel, leather and antiques to create a cozy, yet
urbane, environment.
 Zeff’s theme continues in the cellar—a rarity in
Manhattan—where he created a secluded private dining room in the wine cave. The
focal point of the beautiful, plank-walled room is a rustic farmhouse table that
seats up to 20 guests, though it also could be split for smaller parties. There
is room enough to host a stand-up cocktail party with the table as a magnificent
buffet—no linens required. Walls lined with dark chestnut, recessed wine racks
and works by American pop artist Robert Rauschenberg give the room the feel of
an intimate gallery.
Whatever the function, you can expect to be impressed on
all fronts. “We are focused on these fundamentals: how guests are received, the
way they’re made to feel, how they’re served and what they are offered,” says
chef and partner Jimmy Bradley on the secret of the Harrison’s success. Critical
to that success is the team that enables Bradley and Abrams to set their
signature tone: general manager Tim Rucker oversees the wait staff; beverage
manager Paul Masters keeps tabs on drinks; and in the kitchen, Bradley
collaborates with executive chef Joseph Campanaro, 32, a culinary soul mate who
shares his passion for natural, lusty flavors and the sensibility of their
shared Italian heritage.
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