This Legendary NYC Restaurant Helped Define The Cosmopolitan - And Became A Celebrity Institution - Tasting Table

"The cosmopolitan was frequently served at The Odeon, and the recipe created by 20-something-year-old bartender Toby Cecchini in 1988 quickly won over customers. Cecchini put his own spin on a drink that was making appearances in clubs in San Francisco, splashing in ingredients like citron vodka, cranberry juice, and items associated with margaritas like Cointreau and fresh lime to try to impress waitresses."

"The Odeon was regularly filled with actors, downtown artists, and the cast of Saturday Night Live - and packed until 3 a.m. John Belushi often came in just before closing, and would sit with the waitresses while they counted their money."

"Among the list of star-studded names settling into the red leather booths included Diane von Fursternberg, Bono, Martin Scorsese, Madonna, JFK Jr., and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The elite entering and exiting The Odeon became its own sort of advertisement."

The Odeon is a legendary brasserie in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood that has maintained its cultural significance for decades. Bartender Toby Cecchini created a signature cosmopolitan recipe in 1988 by combining citron vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and fresh lime, which quickly became popular among patrons. The establishment attracted prominent celebrities and artists including Diane von Furstenberg, Bono, Martin Scorsese, Madonna, and JFK Jr., who frequented the red leather booths. The cosmopolitan gained widespread recognition through the television show "Sex and the City," while the brasserie's French-American menu sustained its reputation. The venue served as a cultural hub where actors, downtown artists, and Saturday Night Live cast members gathered until closing, establishing The Odeon as a defining New York institution.

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