STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Chemistry lives within the heart of The Alchemist, a drinking and mingling spot fairly new to the New Dorp neighborhood at 1363 North Railroad Ave. And while the liquor license weaves through its process, Ekaterina Kolesnikova has set her restaurant underway as a “mocktail lounge.”
Right now, craft booze-free mixers line the inventory. (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
The overall lounge concept has been Kolesnikova’s dream through college and business school — yet only on a laptop. Yet as a non-drinker herself, the 26-year-old entrepreneur calls the liquor license hold-up a most “happy accident.”
The "Omens over Ice" comes garnished with nasturtium, edible flowers. It includes bourbon substitute, lime juice, muddled and strained basil leaves and a splash of capsicum for a bit of heat. (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
Kolesnikova explained: “I started to embrace the non-alcoholic. When the liquor license comes in, we’ll introduce the liquor menu, too. It’s very unique what we have here. I do understand people want [the alcohol]. They’re waiting for it.”
As for the palate delight, she added: “You get the same experience with the non-alcoholic.”
Swivel seats at the bar (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
Tapas and desserts
In plush cozy nooks, at a high-top table or at the bar itself, The Alchemist has something for everyone, Kolesnikova said.
Along with a modest tapas and dessert menu, the lounge features carefully curated elixirs — shaken with non-booze spirits, sweetened with fresh juices and muddled with fresh herbs. Each specialty mocktail is $16.
Right now mocktails, but soon cocktails, at The Alchemist. (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
Depending on the selection, sippers are served with uniquely shaped ice cubes. Rectangular ones frozen into sticks, for instance, come with the “Dessert Oasis,” to stir with fresh English cucumber and lime juice, beet sugar and a wee bit of heat from capsicum.
“It’s a social space for everyone. I have a lot of events in the works, including a game with algorithms. You find your perfect match. I think Staten Island is lacking a space where you can meet people. A Brooklyn crowd is coming here, and they need a space where they can mingle,” Kolesnikova said.
The lounge is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
The road to proprietorship
Through her time at University of Buffalo and Fordham University graduate school, Kolesnikova worked in food service. Those experiences were filed away as The Alchemist’s business plan came together.
A New Dorp storefront for rent on North Railroad Avenue, a prior real estate office, became home for The Alchemist. The space’s former bunch of carrels and a stairway to an upstairs room inspired a design vision that would soon come together.
Kolesnikova eventually brought in a team with consulting chef Adam Banks and Brian Van Flandern, a.k.a. “America’s Top Mixologist,” a title bestowed upon him by Food Network.
Pictured here is a charcuterie board. (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
Banks came up with fried halloumi sticks with preserved lemon yogurt dressing ($17), tuna tartare ($25), crispy cauliflower ($17), parmesan waffle fries ($17) and chilled shrimp ($20), each item served with gourmet dips. Marinated olives ($7), pesto hummus and spicy feta dip (both $15 and served with pita) plus a charcuterie board ($25) round out the menu.
Van Flandern curated the booze and non-booze menu. He flew in from Vegas for weeks’ worth of boot camp and drills uniquely crafted to the Staten Island staff.
The view of the bar at The Alchemist. (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
The restaurant life
With doors now open, it’s time to further the restaurant dream. Kolesnikova said new offering will be coming out next week for a special summer menu. She’s also shifted into coffees and desserts with pastry creations shipped from Wow Cafe in Brooklyn.
Upstairs in the fun space open for entertainment. (Courtesy of The Alchemist)Pamela Silvestri
“Every week its different for a ‘Dessert of the Week’ — something new and something beautiful,” she said.
The entrepreneur said she envisions the upstairs for wellness events and will pair up with a local artist for bi-monthly paint-and-sip-style art classes.
Kolesnikova said she also has a passion for comedy, as she plans for a stage and mic to host talented comics. She added she envisions a very social place: “We have the perfect setup.”
Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
Yes, indeed, the author of this story sampled a few of the mocktails. The Omen was the best pick, especially with purple being a favorite color, and quite refreshing with the promised flavors. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri
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