Pop is a funny name for a restaurant. It’s a happy sound without much sense and is as much a design manifesto as a fashionable bistro. But it’s not too serious. It requires no deep thought. Consider it a comfy-chic destination for flavorful lounge dining.

Roy Liebenthal opened Pop’s doors in 1999, and at the start of 2002, unveiled its 70-seat back lounge, which has become the private party go-to for sparkly celebs and the fashion set. Unlike the open-front dining room, the boldly banqueted back offers a more casual dining experience, complete with plush red benches and light blue pillow rolls, Knoll chairs, mirrored cafe tables and a generous display of Pop Art.

The interiors by Turkish architect Ali Tayar derive from 50s and 60s modernism – the era when the American dream mixed with fine cuisine.