Silkstone, the creative events firm behind The Fat Radish restaurant in New York, continue to change things up; co-owner Philip Winser’s design work made our pages last year in the rural setting of Montauk with the Ruschmeyer’s kitchen, and now Phil and Silkstone partner Ben Towill have unveiled their latest venture back in the city – The Leadbelly.

Oysters and liquor might sound like a scary proposition for some (like me), but they have strong stomachs on the Lower East Side and Ben knows what he’s doing, having worked in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsey, Raymond Blanc and Rick Stein, no less. Inside The Leadbelly is filled with collection of vintage elements, boasting a beautiful, shimmering copper-topped bar as the centrepiece. Other features make the place look rather more lived-in, such as the large lumps missing from the plaster work – and the aged upholstery giving the feel of a living room crossed with a boy’s basement clubhouse. There’s live music on every night, which would please the old blues musician of the same name, and seasonal bar snacks for those whose bellies are made of less robust material.