AIX (2398 Broadway at 88th Street; 212-874-7400) has set the Upper West Side abuzz.

The sumptuous creations of acclaimed chef Didier Virot are a highlight of the neighborhood's impressive culinary uprising, and under his steady hand such fanciful creations as sheep's milk yogurt horseradish sauce and quince-beet Streüdl have become de rigeur culinary conversation pieces.
The original design of Aix is also unlike anything New Yorkers have seen before, with a bold design and luminescent colors that evoke the unrivaled emotion and romance of Aix en Provence.

First-time restaurateur Philip Kirsh lured Chef Virot to the Upper West Side, where he joins such trailblazing chefs as Tom Valenti, Terrance Brennan and Neil Annis. Virot, most recently chef and owner of the critically acclaimed Virot at the Dylan Hotel, is a master of Innovative French cuisine. He first came to prominence in the United States as executive chef of Jo Jo beginning in 1995, and later as the opening executive chef at Jean Georges. Virot also gained immeasurable experience working in a number of Michelin rated restaurants in France, rising to the position of sous chef at the Michelin three-star restaurant Michel Bras in Laguiole.

French interior designer Etienne Coffinier created the warm and comfortable environment at Aix, capturing the soul of Provence in the heart of the Upper West Side. The bi-level dining area, with seating for 120 guests, is dominated by plush banquettes and rich, vibrant colors. Mirrors, louvers and sheer fabrics accentuate the bold hues of Provence: the almond green and saffron-colored fields, brilliant orange sun, fiery red tomatoes and berries, and dreamlike azure skies. The upstairs windows, their sheer panels decorated with a motif of squares, draw in a diffused light. A 40-seat café and lounge downstairs includes the work of artist Paul Moran, whose paintings emit a haunting quality evoking familiar yet not wholly identifiable landscapes. Los Angeles-based designer Melissa Mass provided the playful uniforms for the staff at Aix; Masse was previously a designer for Richard Tyler, and she has dressed the staff at L'Ermitage as well as numerous Hollywood stars. At Aix, Virot's vast cooking experience and the restaurant's evocative design are bringing pleasure seekers from every neighborhood to Manhattan's newest dining destination.