Café Mars by Corner Booth Hospitality

2023
Café Mars
Brooklyn

Café Mars is an unusual Italian restaurant located in the transitioning neighborhood of Gowanus, Brooklyn. With deep ties to Italy, Chef Paul D’Avino designed a restaurant with all the pristine of a 3-Star meal, without the fuss and pretension. Everyone feels welcome in this space.

How We Helped

CBH provided kitchen and front-of-house design support through equipment selection — working in a very small NYC restaurant space, and through basement support — providing efficient solutions to bring award winning service. CBH set up systems to provide consistency and genuine service to all patrons. CBH constructed an 80 bottle wine list with focus on Italian and New York wines only. Signature touches include a complimentary aperitif service, a nod to Japanese culture, where guests pick their own vintage sherry glasses.

"Aria Dorsey was the driving force behind a wine and service program that we are very proud of. Aria was able to translate our service concept and goals into a practical guide, that our off-the-beaten-path “unusual” Italian restaurant was awarded “Best Service, New York City” by the Michelin Guide in 2023."

Paul D’Avino, Owner

"It was absolutely vital that we could trust someone to distill our hopes and dreams without needing to constantly wonder if that was happening or would reflect how we knew it should be. In Aria, we had that in spades."

Paul D’Avino, Owner