Across the street from venerable Economy Candy on Rivington Street sits the trendy Hotel Rivington. It’s the old and new Lower East Side staring each other down. If you yearn for sweets from the good old days, go to Economy Candy. But if you’re looking for stylish cuisine, walk across the street to Thor, the restaurant that sits on the ground floor of the hotel. There you’ll find, among other dishes, some of the best bread pudding in New York. (Yes, I was comped, but truly this is a great dessert.)

This fabulous confection is doused with rum which gives it an extra lusciousness. It’s creamy and rich with a buttery finish that will make you swoon. Other dishes on the menu are more uneven. A grilled octopus starter with fennel and olives was extremely flavorful. We ordered the halibut, which though over-cooked, sat on a bed of scrumptious lentils. The fava beans with my salmon were also toothsome. Obviously, Solomon has a way with veggies.

One of the best parts about the eatery is its edgy interior, designed by Marcel Wanders. With its swirling black and white patterned wallpaper, ornate black chandeliers dangling from the soaring ceiling, and white bolder-like orbs spilling onto one side of the dining room, this is a space that the Adams family could love. On a nice summer night, the glassed in wall lets in a lot of light, leavening the otherwise phantasmagoric design.

Prices for entrees range from $16-$27. Starters are from $9-$12. There’s also a “For the Table” category, which we found a bit confusing. You could eat these dishes, which are priced from $14 to $16 and which include goat cheese fondue and steamed Littlenecks, as starters or as a main course.

Thor

The Hotel on Rivington

107 Rivington

New York, NY

212 746 8040

Related posts:

1. Lower East Side: Banana Pudding at Sugar Sweet Sunshine
2. Chinatown/Lower East Side: Vanessa’s Dumpling House
3. Guss’ Pickles Leaves the Lower East Side for Brooklyn