Lure Fish Bar   

142 Mercer St
New York, NY 10012
212-431-7676
www.lurefishbar.com

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Now open again after a fire closed the restaurant for several months, Lure's nautical decor has been restored and a new sushi chef is in place. A ship's hierarchy usually finds the lower-class seafarers riding below, but Lure reverses the rule. The passenger log of this spacious Soho sea-themed subterranean restaurant is all high-class pedigree. It was converted from the orange Canteen by its owners, who also run Park Avenue's Lever House -- so the VIP crowd will feel at home down below. The decor has been described as "deluxe maritime chic," with cushy white banquettes, wood paneling and nautical uniforms. Views of the trendy neighborhood are limited to looking at Manolos and urban mandals on the sidewalk through the raised portholes from inside. The menu trawls seafood into several categories. The fish board is fine, but fans have been raving about the raw bar, which allows diners to hook a variety of items without sinking into an entree: yellowtail kingfish, foie gras, arctic char with roe, Malpeque oysters, surf and turf specials. A bouncing bar and cocktail scene keeps the experience wet.