Undoubtedly the restaurant’s showstopper, Rottenberg’s sculptural installation takes the form of a fairy tale-like vine formation illuminated by mushroom-like coloured orbs. Crafted from recycled plastics and invasive bittersweet vines culled from upstate forests, it’s a piece that embodies ecological awareness while capturing the joyful, collaborative spirit of the space.

Mary Heilman’s Floating Tile Tables further add to the scheme’s conviviality, their crayon-box hues injecting a childlike exuberance into the dining experience. Featuring an organic-shaped ceramic tile embedded into the wooden tabletops, each table is a unique masterpiece, handcrafted with love and precision. Equally striking is Rashid Johnson’s seven-metre-long mosaic table paired with a custom red rug, which anchors the private dining room with bold, dynamic energy. Even the chairs—serpentine Kolho designs by Matthew Day Jackson—reflect the restaurant’s ethos; sculptural yet functional, they underscore Manuela’s belief that everyday objects deserve artistry.

This dialogue between art and design extends to the restaurant’s murals. From Rita Ackermann’s expressive gestures to Pat Steir’s meditative abstractions, the walls seem to breathe, each piece amplifying the narrative of the space. Meanwhile, Louise Bourgeois’ bronze Spider II (1995) casts a delicate shadow over the proceedings, serving as a poetic reminder of the interconnected threads between art, space, and community.

Sustainability is central to the restaurant’s philosophy, extending from the vintage, recycled, and off-cut materials that dominate the interiors to the thoughtfully curated menu. Underpinned by Artfarm’s roots in regenerative agriculture, the restaurant prioritises seasonal ingredients sourced from ethical farms in the Tri-State area and New England, local farmers’ markets, and dayboats across Maine and Montauk. Cooked in an open kitchen on the wood-fired grill, the dishes are honest and unpretentious. Open for lunch, dinner and drinks, this is a place where you can enjoy roasted turnips with royal corona beans and spiced monkfish skewers under a Cindy Sherman photograph or sip a signature cocktail such as a Pop Art (Brandy, cassis, sparkling wine, orange zest) or an Aged Atelier (Aged Rums, cinnamon, raspberry, sunflower seed orgeat) at a table that is itself a piece of art.

In a neighbourhood synonymous with creativity, Manuela is not only a continuation and a reimagining of SoHo’s storied artistic legacy, it’s also a reminder that art doesn’t belong solely in galleries—it belongs in our everyday lives.