Lincoln Restaurant does not open officially until September 24th, but things are happening. On September 10th, Heart Magazine had an event there. Tonight, while most were crowded around the star-studded red carpet for Tommy Hilfiger’s 25th Anniversary Show, I eschewed the masses and checked out the restaurant.

The Tommy Hilfiger show was in the Metropolitan Opera House, converting the mezzanine restaurant into a concert stage featuring the White Strokes. The red carpet was lined by male models, wearing the exact same preppy combination of navy blazer and chinos.

The restaurant space is particularly interesting because it is located under the topsy-turvy lawn. The back of the restaurant is actually the side that faces the street (on the second floor) and this is where the chefs work, completely visible to 65th street as well as the patrons inside.

Light is clearly an important aspect of the design, from the natural light through the glass walls to the concetrated areas of bright spotlights. I will be eating there for my birthday, so I’ll let you know how the food is! Former Per Se chef Jonathan Benno is in charge, so it should be good. Reservations at 212-359-6500.

All photographs by Michelle Young.

Update:  Interior photos here! Get in touch with the author @untappedmich