NoMad Bar Voted Best Bar in North America

The NoMad Bar at 10 W. 28th Street was voted number 3 on the list of the World’s Best Bars, and topped the chart at number 1 for best bar in North America. The awards, announced in London on October 5, 2017 were given by more than 500 members of the Best Bars Academy who are drink experts and writers and cocktail specialists. The NoMad bar opened in 2014 and in its short history has become one of the essential bars in the city with jaw-dropping large format cocktail explosions, some crafted with rare spirits. We congratulate our client. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of the NoMad Hotel and NoMad Bar team.

Bouley Test Kitchen 21 Opens

Chef David Bouley is set to open a new version of his test kitchen concept, Bouley Test Kitchen 21, at 31 W. 21st St. in Manhattan. Chef Bouley, a Michelin Star and James Beard awardee, is extending his operation of the test kitchen experience to the new location complete with an open kitchen, demonstration islands, and a large event space for classes, lectures and other programming. Beyond offering an incredible dining experience, Chef Bouley intends to educate patrons on the importance of using fresh, healthy ingredients and identify the correlation between the elements of a meal and an individual’s overall well-being. Beyond serving, Chef Bouley and his team will teach customers how to properly prepare healthy meals.

Congratulations to Chef Bouley on his recently received doctorate of humane letters from the University of Connecticut for his work in the expanding field of research related to food, health and diet, as well as his lifetime achievement awards from the Ceiliac Disease Center at Columbia University, and the Rogosin Institute affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College.
Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of Chef Bouley’s Test Kitchen team.

Class on Restaurant Leases

On Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Donald Bernstein will be teaching a Continuing Legal Education class at the National Law Institute on restaurant leases. The three hour course, appropriate for attorneys as well as others interested in common issues faced in negotiating and drafting a restaurant lease, will cover the most significant issues a practitioner or business owner may face. These issues included use clauses, assignment and subletting provisions, contingency clauses and how liquor license and other permitting issues impact lease negotiations, default and termination provisions including fire and demolition clauses, landlord representations, good guy guaranties, and many other issues. Registration for the course can be found here: http://nationallawinstitute.com/class/restaurant-leases-a-new-york-city-review/. For any other questions about this class please contact Sheri@brpclaw.com.

Danny Meyer’s Caffe Marchio Opens Today

Restauranteur Danny Meyer and his Union Square Hospitality Group is opening Roman-themed Caffe Marchio today in the Redbury Hotel at 29 East 29th Street. Caffe Marchio will serve breakfast sandwiches and traditional baked goods by pastry chef Jessica Weiss, braised meats and other dishes. Union Square Hospitality Group already operates the restaurant Marta in the Redbury. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of the Union Square Hospitality team.

The Shed—An Innovative New Building Along the Highline

Have you seen it yet? Opening in spring 2019 and currently under construction, The Shed, to be located next to 15 Hudson Yards, will be a multi-arts center designed for performing arts, visual arts, and popular culture. The eight level 200,000 square foot base structure will be a center for artistic invention bringing together leading artists working in multiple art forms.
The most distinctive feature of this eight million pound building will be its outer shell that slides over the adjoining outdoor plaza with six feet wide wheels to provide a 120-foot-high, temperature-controlled hall. As the building expands and contracts, it can work in many configurations, allowing multiple events simultaneously including a theater for up to 1,250 guests. The shell rolled out for a test run this past May. The Shed is a registered nonprofit cultural organization. This will be quite a unique venue. More about it can be found at www.theshed.org . Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of The Shed team.

Zoning Restrictions – Beware

An article in the New York Times on August 24, 2017 bemoaned the high rents and vacant storefronts in SoHo. Retail rents soared between 2010 and 2014 by 90%, far above other areas of Manhattan. The area became a hub of large flagship stores, such as the 55,000 square foot Nike store on Broadway and Spring Street. Local residents, block associations, and even elected officials were not so happy about that, wanting instead to retain their vision of SoHo with low-scale buildings, artists’ lofts, and small independent retailers. Towards that end, there are special zoning restrictions in SoHo that limit the size of stores to no more than 10,000 square feet. There are also specific zoning restrictions in SoHo and other parts of the City that limit the size of eating and drinking establishments. The Zoning Resolution limits eating drinking establishments in M1-5A and M1-5B districts to 5,000 square feet. Other portions of the Resolution limit other areas to 3,500 square feet. Be aware of these restrictions if you are planning to open a restaurant or bar, and speak with a zoning expert.

If You Happen To Be in Seattle….

The Seattle Times described it as “a love affair” with French restaurant L’Oursin. L’Oursin, which means “sea urchin,” is owned by Chef JJ Proville and Zac Overman. It opened to rave reviews in Seattle’s Central District, Seattle Weekly naming it the best French restaurant in the city. Both Zac and JJ are New York transplants. Originally thinking they would open a restaurant in Brooklyn one day, instead they headed west and now the lucky folks in Seattle are reaping the benefit of their talents. If you are passing through Seattle, this is the place to go. All the best to our good friend, Chef Proville.

e’s Bar Named One of Top NYC Bars

e’s Bar at 511 Amsterdam Avenue, shuttered for months by a fire in its building, recently reopened and was just named by Eater as one of New York’s best theme bars. A self described “dive bar for grown-ups,” e’s Bar features trivia nights, craft beers, 150 board games, and music from the 70s and 80s. Not to mention the $5 Happy Hour burger. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of the e’s Bar team.

London Based Burger & Lobster Opens Second Manhattan Restaurant

Burger & Lobster, the hugely popular London based restaurant chain, will open its second Manhattan restaurant today at One Bryant Park. The chain started in the Mayfair section of London in 2011. It opened its first New York restaurant at 39 W. 19th Street in 2015. A true surf and turf, simplicity is their key. Burger & Lobster features three dishes, lobsters, burgers, and lobster rolls, along with a salad and fries and a homemade dessert. With a full bar menu of course. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of the Award winning Burger & Lobster team.

Restoration Hardware Gallery in Meatpacking Is Approved for a Liquor License

This past week the New York State Liquor Authority approved a beer and wine license for the new Restoration Hardware gallery at 9 Ninth Avenue, where the former Pastis was located. The 70,000 square foot decorating showroom and furniture gallery will have a full service restaurant on the fifth floor as well as an outdoor rooftop showroom. Founded in 1979, RH has design stores in the U.S. and Canada. The new Ninth Avenue gallery and restaurant is expected to open in November 2017. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of the RH team.