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

Bring Your Indoor Voice to The Library Next Tuesday

The Library, located on the mezzanine level inside the Public Theater building at 425 Lafayette Street, opens next Tuesday, October 9th.  Hours are 530pm - 2am every day.  According to their website, "the hidden away space plays dinner bar, watering hole or backstage lounge to downtown denizens and neighborhood dwellers, theater-goers coming or going, academics and artists alike."

Andrew Carmellini and Luke Ostrom (a partner in Locanda Verde and The Dutch) collaborated with Joe's Pub on The Library.  Joe's Pub has been serving food inside the Public building since '98.  The new menu has about 20 options in the form of starters, sandwiches, and mains; ranging in price from $12 to $26.  The wine list is Champagne heavy with a few white and red selections coming mostly from France.  A couple California and Oregon selections provide domestic options.  House cocktails are $14 each and six beers are available on tap at $6 a piece.

The Library is the first of two new projects from Carmellini to open this fall and the first to open on our Taste of Tastes to Come list. The second is a yet-to-be-named French restaurant opening in the former Chinatown Brasserie space down the street from the Library.

A Taste of Tastes to Come

Summer is (unfortunately) over.  September will sometimes hang on to the warm weather and allude to an endless summer, but the cool breezes of late carry the rigorous truth.  It's time to get back to work.  The last quarter will be a busy one for restaurateurs, many of whom are approaching the remaining months of 2012 with a double-or-nothing attitude.  Michael White has The Butterfly and Ristorante Morini on the horizon, Andrew Carmellini will add The Library in the Public Theater and a yet-to-be-named French place to his resume, and the Torrisi guys will introduce The Lobster Club and Carbone to Thompson Street.  In addition to the double features, a slew of other restaurants are opening by the end of the year and we're excited.  Here's a look at a few storefronts with news about the restaurants moving into them.

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Former Chinatown Brasserie Gets Cleaned Out; Signs Go Up

On Wednesday, June 20th, there was a same day announcement that Chinatown Brasserie would be closing at the end of the day.  Workers were inside cleaning out the 380 Lafayette Street address yesterday and a look through the doors revealed a completely gutted space. 

Partners Josh Pickard, John McDonald, and chef Joe Ng said they would look for a smaller space in the same neighborhood to reopen later this year.  A few hours after it was announced CB was closing, Andrew Carmellini, who is a partner with Josh Pickard and Luke Ostrom in Locanda Verde and The Dutch, confirmed his group was taking over the space and planning a French restaurant.

There are "Nous somme la cuisine" posters on the windows of the yet to be named Carmellini space:

Andrew Carmellini Plans French Restaurant in Former Chinatown Brasserie Space

The owners of Chinatown Brasserie announced they are closing their six-year-old restaurant on Lafayette Street today. Josh Pickard, John McDonald, and chef Joe Ng have plans to reopen in a smaller venue in the same neighborhood, where they feel the restaurant can be a better experience. Joe Ng will continue his duties as executive chef at West Village hotspot Redfarm. 

Josh Pickard is a partner with Luke Ostrom and Andrew Carmellini in Locanda Verde and The Dutch. Diner's Journal reports today that the powerhouse team is taking over the old Brasserie space and planning a French restaurant.

Mum will be much of the word while the project is in its infant stages, but we know Carmellini is well-versed in French cuisine. He worked under Gary Kunz at Lespinasse and with Daniel Boulud at Cafe Boulud.  It will be interesting to see what the partners do with the two floors at 380 Lafayette Street.

Good Food Will Soon Take Flight at LaGuardia

There's some changes going on over at LaGuardia Airport.  Delta Air Lines is taking over Terminal C and there's a serious list of restauranteurs moving in.  Andrew Carmellini, Michael White, and folks from Balthazar are all involved.  The list reads a bit like an abridged version of The Great Googa Mooga lineup.

Maybe that will change peoples attitudes about D.E.L.T.A. (Doesn't Ever Leave The Airport)