Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop Is Open To Enjoy A Socially Distance Summer

Husband and wife duo, Chef Michele Iuliano and Anisa Iuliano, the restaurateurs behind seven NYC-based Italian eateries (most notable being their popular Napoletana eatery, Gnoccheria) open Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop in the heart of the Financial District.

Located at 100 Broad St. (Entrance on Bridge St.) on the third floor, Ampia Rooftop (Ampia meaning “Space” in Italian) is a sprawling 4,500 Sq. foot outdoor rooftop terrace featuring individual greenhouses for a social distance dining experience, opulent clusters of colorful flower gardens, and Italian-themed art and décor dispersed throughout.

Chef Michele Iuliano offers up an authentic Italian menu of lite casual fare, along with a selection of inventive seafood paninis. Opening next Wednesday, July 8th, Ampia Rooftop is incorporating several safety and sanitizing precautions (listed below), and will be open for lunch and dinner daily.

Ampia Rooftop will join the Iuliano’s extensive portfolio of Italian eateries including: Luzzo’s La Pizza Napoletana (2005), Ovest Pizzoteca by Luzzo’s (2009), Da Mikele by Luzzo’s (2010), Gnoccheria East Village (Feb 2016), Via Trenta Pizzoteca (Oct 2016), Luzzo’s LIC (2018), Gnoccheria Wall Street (Oct 2019).

“While we were originally set back in our opening timeline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited to now add Ampia Rooftop to our roster which will bring an authentic Italian lifestyle and energy to downtown NYC,” states co-owner Anisa Iuliano. “We are committed to making sure our guests feel comfortable dining with us this season and are incorporating a tremendous amount of health and safety precautions before customers ever step foot in the venue,” she adds.

While Phase 2 of NYC’s reopening plan includes outdoor dining, Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop is making the health and safety of its guests its top priority. You can expect the following precautions to be made:

• An electrostatic sanitizing spray with an EPA approved formula has been applied by Purity Solution across the entire restaurant & rooftop. This provides a sanitized base coat that continually disinfects and destroys viruses and bacteria on all surfaces, tables, and seating.
• There will be five individual greenhouses with seating for two — and recommended for people who already live together. The greenhouses will be wiped down after every use.
• Tables/seating will be placed six feet apart.
• Every table will have its own hand sanitizer spray for any additional sanitizing needs.
• Contactless Ordering: Guests will be able to scan a QR code to access the menu directly on their personal phones.
• Employees are required to wear a mask at all times. Guests must always wear a mask unless they are seated at a table.

Ampia Rooftop sits atop Gnoccheria Wall Street, which is housed in an old bank-clearing house and was transformed into the decadent Gnocchi-inspired Napoletana restaurant in October 2019. Designed by the Iuliano’s themselves, Ampia Rooftop’s furnishings and design concepts are inspired directly from Italy, including multiple Italian wooden paintings shipped directly from Naples.

The vibrant greenery and plush clusters of flower gardens, along with exposed wood accents, transport patrons from the humid streets of the city below to this authentic Italian garden terrace. Have a seat amidst the flower gardens, bask in the sunlight, and take in the myriad bursts of energy from this incredible city.

Upon entering 100 Broad St., an elevator (stairs are also available) brings guests up to the third-floor rooftop where they are met with the bar area dawning hanging ferns and high-top seating. From there, the open format terrace is completely outdoors, and illuminated by string lighting hung across the entirety of the venue.

Five individual greenhouses, each encompassing seating for two, are available for reservations on a first come, first serve basis. Additionally, wooden bench seating with colorful cushions line the parameter of the space where guests will be placed six feet apart to dine with their group.

At the tip of the rooftop, a large semi-private VIP area is available for large parties of 6 (min) — 10 (max) guests. With a typical capacity of 250 people, the capacity during social distancing will be held at 25%, or 60–65 people at a time.

Executive Chef Michele Iuliano, and his culinary team, offer up a lite menu of Italian casual fare including Antipasti items such as Tuna Tartare, Calamari, and Mediterranean hummus. However, its the selection of inventive Panini di Pesce (seafood paninis) that take the menu mainstage at Ampia Rooftop this summer.

Options include a Grilled Octopus Panini (with pesto, tomato, burrata cheese and homemade potato chips), or a pan-fried Tuna Cutlet Panini (with fresh mozzarella, puttanesca, crunchy black olives, and fresh baby arugula). Guests may also opt for a salmon, scallop, shrimp, or lobster panini, all served on Italian bread. Pizza and home-made Gnocchi dishes are also available.

An elevated cocktail menu compliments this garden rooftop with signature bespoke cocktails like the Maya (Tequila Reposado, Liqueur 43 , Fresh Lime Juice , Horchata & Matcha Syrup , and Fresh Avocado), Street Supreme Mezcalita (Mezcal, St Germaine and Peche de Vigne Liqueur, Tamarind Spicy Chili Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice) and garnished with fresh cucumber and a spicy homemade salt rim, or the Tickled Pink Sangria (Homemade Rose Sangria with Fresh Mango, Fresh Peach, & Fresh Pear). A hand selected wine menu, including red, white, sparkling, and rosé, and beer menu, are also available.

Ampia Rooftop is open Monday — Sunday 12:00PM — 11:00PM, serving lunch and dinner daily. Brunch menu items will launch later this summer.