Andrew Carmellini's The Library is Open

The Library opened on the mezzanine level of Lafayette Street's Public Theater Tuesday night at 5:30.  It's the first to open from our Taste of Tastes to Come list and the new collaborative project from Andrew Carmellini, Luke Ostrom, and Joe's Pub proves to be a modern, jazzy, speak easy with the help of a World War II era jazz soundtrack and $14 cocktails from Tiffany Short.  Six draft beers are on offer at $6 each and a three act menu offers food under the direction of Carmellini.  Act I gives you options like pizza popcorn with Parmigiano ($5), Peekytoe crab rolls ($10 for 2), and French fries with malt vinegar mayo ($8).  Act II has roasted beets, grapefruit, goat cheese, and pistachio ($12), and a kale salad that might join the ranks of Battersby and Northern Spy Co. in the world of supreme kale salads.  The Library's version has Vermont Cheddar and Marcona almonds ($13).  Act III includes Joe's Burger with carmelized onions, bacon, and cheddar ($17), and Catskill Moutain Trout with lentils and butternut squash ($24).

Three sparkling options, four whites, and four reds make up the wine by the glass options.  The champagne heavy sparkling section and white wine in the form of Sancerre, viognier, riesling, and Chablis provide a thorough tour of France while the eleven reds on offer cover five different countries and range from $45 to $110.  See the full food and drink menu here.

The Library | 425 Lafayette Street | 212.539.8777 | 530pm - 2am nightly | www