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Never in the history
of bardom has a space morphed so dramatically. Walking to dinner in
the Meatpacking District one night, we passed a couple gregarious
dudes standing around outside the old Village
Idiot space with giant shit-eating grins and come-hither looks.
They practically assaulted us on the sidewalk when we glanced towards
the old bar with a look of wonderment in our eyes. "Come on inside
and check it out--we're opening tonight for the first time as a kind
of preview." How could I resist checking out how they prettied up
one of the worst puke-fests in the city? And to our amazement, they
completely transformed the absolute craphole into an Italian villa/Knights
of the Round Table establishment, complete with giant wingback chairs,
long wooden tables, monstrous rod iron chandeliers and beautiful fireplaces.
You could still smell the glue behind the wallpaper drying, and the
wood varnish on the bar crackling just so. We walked back out truly
impressed with the change, and wondering how anyone could envision
such a palace in the linoleum and barf coatings that it had once been.
The manager and owner (?) were clearly proud of what they had put
together, and we promised to drop back in after dinner. Unlike most
promises made to strangers, we actually did come back and settled
by a fireplace with some strong drinks. The kitchen wasn't open to
customers yet, and I think we were sitting in what would eventually
be the dining area, with its Arthurian banquet tables, but we sat
marveling at what it must have cost to decorate and build out this
place. The place could use a little break-in time so it didn't feel
quite so crisp and new (and a bit like an expensive condo), but everything
was high quality and clearly thought out. Sitting in a giant chair
with a drink under monstrously high ceilings with the dim lighting
and a roaring fire made me want to chomp on a big leg o' something
and wear a crown. To add to the regal flavor, there seemed to be a
disproportionate number of Europeans up front at the bar--and pretty
hot ones at that. Granted this was probably a group of investors or
VIPs the way they were dressed, but it impressed us American simpletons
nonetheless. Of course I was pretty blitzed so they could have been
Jerseyites in cords for all I know. Regardless, it'll be interesting
to see how this place works out, and if anyone will be down for what
looks like expensive communal eating. I'm not even sure if they're
marketing it more as a bar or restaurant at this point, but for any
after dinner drink, it certainly impressed the socks off a guy who
considers a padded barstool the height of luxury. [MF]
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