Brasserie Cognac Américain is now open in Midtown Manhattan with Michael Lomonaco running the kitchen
It’s a new chapter for Serafina Restaurant Group and the brand.
June 22, 2026
Serafina Restaurant Group has expanded its Brasserie Cognac portfolio with the opening of Brasserie Cognac Américain, an all-day French American restaurant developed in partnership with chef Michael Lomonaco.
Brasserie Cognac Américain is billed as a fresh chapter for the brand, which has three existing locations in New York City.
The new restaurant opened May 19 in Midtown Manhattan overlooking the main branch of the New York Public Library and Bryant Park. It spans nearly 12,000 square feet across two levels and has about 250 seats. The design is meant to evoke a Parisian brasserie, with a large horseshoe-shaped bar anchoring the ground floor, and a main dining room full of warm woods and polished brass. The second floor has more dining space and a private dining room.
Lomonaco said that fans of Brasserie Cognac will recognize many of the same qualities in this new iteration, including a few timeless dishes, welcoming service, and a lively atmosphere. But he stressed that it also brings something new to the table, with an expanded menu of French classics, a stronger focus on wine, and the elegant two-level space.
The two-level restaurant seats 250 guests across 12,000 square feet.
Cognac’s co-owners, Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato, found the new location in the heart of Midtown, which inspired them to envision building Brasserie Cognac Américain. The duo then approached Lomonaco, whose Porter House Bar and Grill had recently closed after a 20-year run, about heading up the new venture.
Lomonaco is a veteran New York City chef best known as the former chef of Windows on the World, the restaurant atop the World Trade Center that was destroyed in the 9/11 terror attack.
“New York has always been my home, and collaborating with the Serafina team on this concept felt entirely natural,” Lomonaco said. “Brasserie Cognac Américain reflects the kind of restaurant I’ve always believed in — very welcoming, refined, and designed for guests to return to again and again.”
The menu features French classics with American influences and a larger focus on dry-aged meats.
The all-day menu is centered around French brasserie classics, with a wide range of American influences. Starters include escargots de Bourgogne, French onion soup, steak tartare, and leeks au vinaigrette, and entrées bring dishes like duck à l’orange, moules marinières, lobster Américain, and grilled chicken paillard to the table.
There’s a larger emphasis on dry-aged meats here, with options like a 30-day-aged rib eye and New York strip, as well as a 30-ounce porterhouse and prime rib that serve two people. Guests can choose to adorn their steaks with béarnaise, bordelaise, or peppercorn sauces. There are also a couple burgers, a lobster roll, and a French dip sandwich.
Assaf, Granato, and Lomonaco are already exploring another project together. Lomonaco’s experience at Porter House is serving as inspiration for a modern steakhouse in Midtown Manhattan, so the trio is currently looking at locations for their next venture.
About the Author
Kevin Gray
Kevin Gray is a Dallas-based writer covering independent restaurants for NRN. He also writes for publications including Food & Wine, The Infatuation, and Wine Enthusiast, and he previously served as a correspondent for Restaurant Hospitality. Follow Kevin on Instagram.
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