cloaked
03-18-2008, 08:27 PM
just spreading the word to the people who have eaten here and may not have heard the news. this also is a tie-in to the Silky/PHC thread because restaurant Florent has been in the meatpacking district for years when it was NOT fashionable. it was a destination. unless you were looking for a sex club or transvestite prostitute/sex worker or worked in the meatpacking industry,there really was not much to do in this part of the city. of course, now the meatpacking district is a zoo and the rents have skyrocketed. it is a shame because Florent was the main reason people came to this part of town and now he is being priced-out. i think i read that his rent is going from $6000 a month to $50,000.
http://www.restaurantflorent.com/
RESTAURANT FLORENT®
“French diner?” “Gallic coffee shop?” “Chic, quirky luncheonette?” People have tried to describe us in many ways over the last fifteen years. Lately, they've even been referring to us as a “New York institution.” (We're not quite sure anyone or anything should be an institution.)
We like to think of ourselves as serving solid French bistro fare at non-exclusive prices in a low-key, congenial, 'downtown' New York atmosphere. What keeps that atmosphere ignited is our eclectic clientele and the vision of our owner Florent Morellet.
The media has recently declared our neighborhood, the historic Meat Market district, New York's hottest, hippest area. They've dubbed Florent its unofficial mayor, although he's still negotiating for Queen.
When he originally opened in this decidedly unfashionable spot, it was to give New Yorkers a reliable, round-the-clock eating establishment away from the hype and glitz of the “scene.” Things change, but Florent's beliefs haven't. Good food. Good people. And, as we're French, some good, strong opinions to keep it all bubbling.
Restaurant Florent
69 Gansevoort St.
New York, NY 10014
t/212-989-5779
f/212-645-2498
http://eater.com/archives/2008/01/florent_watch_o.php
Florent Watch: Owner Confirmed, March 31st Earliest Closure Date
Monday, January 28, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here now, three important updates on the closure of Florent, the Meatpacking District landmark with a very uncertain future:
1) Final clarification: Florent is controlled by Joanne Lucas through an LLC called Gansevoort Realty 69, LLC. According to public records, Lucas has a permanent address is Seekonk, MA. [Acris]
2) The Observer reports that Florent's lease expires on March 31, 2008. But there is a small glimmer of hope: "Mr. Morellet added that he is heading to court on February 4th to fight his landlord, a woman whose name he wouldn’t disclose. (He did, however, confirm that the owner is neither the Gottleib family nor the descendants of R&L, as was earlier reported elsewhere.) “My landlady made some mistakes about the lease, some major ones,” he said, adding that the space is being shopped around for $70,000 a month. “That’s a lot of boudin noir!” he laughed...Mr. Morellet’s lease is up on March 31, so the restaurant, he said, would definitely not close at the end of this month, but he refused to say whether or not he plans to renew the lease in the spring." [Observer]
3) Meanwhile, Cutlets has the lease on Florent up in May, and suggests that the brothers Martignetti (of Bar Martignetti fame) might be eyeing the space. [Cutlets]
· SHOCK CLAIM: Florent Restaurant to Close This Year? [~E~]
http://www.restaurantflorent.com/
RESTAURANT FLORENT®
“French diner?” “Gallic coffee shop?” “Chic, quirky luncheonette?” People have tried to describe us in many ways over the last fifteen years. Lately, they've even been referring to us as a “New York institution.” (We're not quite sure anyone or anything should be an institution.)
We like to think of ourselves as serving solid French bistro fare at non-exclusive prices in a low-key, congenial, 'downtown' New York atmosphere. What keeps that atmosphere ignited is our eclectic clientele and the vision of our owner Florent Morellet.
The media has recently declared our neighborhood, the historic Meat Market district, New York's hottest, hippest area. They've dubbed Florent its unofficial mayor, although he's still negotiating for Queen.
When he originally opened in this decidedly unfashionable spot, it was to give New Yorkers a reliable, round-the-clock eating establishment away from the hype and glitz of the “scene.” Things change, but Florent's beliefs haven't. Good food. Good people. And, as we're French, some good, strong opinions to keep it all bubbling.
Restaurant Florent
69 Gansevoort St.
New York, NY 10014
t/212-989-5779
f/212-645-2498
http://eater.com/archives/2008/01/florent_watch_o.php
Florent Watch: Owner Confirmed, March 31st Earliest Closure Date
Monday, January 28, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here now, three important updates on the closure of Florent, the Meatpacking District landmark with a very uncertain future:
1) Final clarification: Florent is controlled by Joanne Lucas through an LLC called Gansevoort Realty 69, LLC. According to public records, Lucas has a permanent address is Seekonk, MA. [Acris]
2) The Observer reports that Florent's lease expires on March 31, 2008. But there is a small glimmer of hope: "Mr. Morellet added that he is heading to court on February 4th to fight his landlord, a woman whose name he wouldn’t disclose. (He did, however, confirm that the owner is neither the Gottleib family nor the descendants of R&L, as was earlier reported elsewhere.) “My landlady made some mistakes about the lease, some major ones,” he said, adding that the space is being shopped around for $70,000 a month. “That’s a lot of boudin noir!” he laughed...Mr. Morellet’s lease is up on March 31, so the restaurant, he said, would definitely not close at the end of this month, but he refused to say whether or not he plans to renew the lease in the spring." [Observer]
3) Meanwhile, Cutlets has the lease on Florent up in May, and suggests that the brothers Martignetti (of Bar Martignetti fame) might be eyeing the space. [Cutlets]
· SHOCK CLAIM: Florent Restaurant to Close This Year? [~E~]