ASTRA News

Charlie Palmer and the team at Astra welcome you back after a recent renovation. The new look, fashioned by architectural designer Martin Vahtra (founder of the New York City design firm Projects) incorporates crisp whites with warm beiges and rich chocolate brown accents.

Vahtra’s goal was to visually open up the space and create a pure, more chameleon-like canvas. “The space now not only provides a neutral backdrop for the building’s designers to display their materials to clients,” notes Vahtra, “but is also more easily embellished for private events.”

“A lot of thought goes into the aesthetic environment I provide in my venues,” says Palmer, “and being in the D&D Building, surrounded by such fantastic showrooms, continually inspires me to be conscious of our appearance.” The restaurateur likes to update Astra’s style every few years, inspired by the looks seen throughout the building. “It feels fresh and exciting,” states general manager Gavin Murphy, “and the timing couldn't be better, as we introduce our new chef de cuisine, John Glowacki.” Chef Glowacki honed his skills in Aureole’s kitchen before taking the reins at Astra. Palmer and Murphy encourage all to stop by to see - and taste - what’s new.