Two years ago, chef Casey Lane read a story about Marcus Apicius, a gourmand who lived in Ancient Rome. "He was a socialite who loved everything about throwing parties, being on the scene, great cooking, and great wine," he explains of the first century bon vivant who inspired him to open his West Village restaurant, Casa Apicii, last month.

Housed on the garden level of a historic nineteenth century townhouse (which was formerly restauranteur John DeLucie's hotspot, The Lion), the restaurant draws its aesthetic inspiration from the punk rock era of the 1970s, outfitted with olive green and gold velvet chairs, and tobacco-stained leather banquets which line the main dining room walls. "It's a little bit of rugged New York mixed with luxury," says Lane, who suspended mod golden fixtures for a touch of mood lighting in the high-ceilinged space.

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Source: http://www.wmagazine.com/