Chicago Hotspot The Aviary Opening NYC Location In Columbus Circle

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — One of Chicago's — and the country's — best bars is set to open a New York City location this summer in Columbus Cirlce.

The Aviary, winner of the 2013 James Bead Foundation Award for best bar program, will move into a space at the Mandarin Oriental hotel above the Shops at Columbus Circle, according to a teaser video posted by the restaurant's chef Grant Achatz.

The Aviary has made a name for itself by creative inventive cocktails such as the "In The Rocks" which comes in the form of a frozen ball that patrons must break to release the liquid. At its Chicago location patrons can dine and drink a la carte or make reservations for cocktail tasting menus.

Restaurant partner Nick Kokonas told the Chicago Tribune that the move into the Mandarin Oriental has been years in the making.

"Five years ago, the Mandarin reached out, asking if we wanted to work with them on a restaurant," Kokonas told the Tribune. "We replied that we wanted to redo their beverage program."

"The lounge at the Mandarin Oriental is one of the iconic rooms in the world," he added. "Beautiful space, amazing views of Central Park. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be given carte blanche to design a space like that and to bring The Aviary to New York."

Watch the teaser video below:

Photo by Google Maps street view