Longtime Prune alum Ned Baldwin looked for a restaurant property for two plus years before settling on his new space in the far western reaches of Tribeca. After a hiccup with the restaurant's liquor license, Baldwin finally opened his restaurant Houseman late last week. The place is named for the Norsk word husmanskost meaning "everyday food." Fittingly, the restaurant is meant for the neighborhood, where people can dine often and not break the bank, and of course, family style ordering is encouraged. The handsome, but clean space was designed by Louis Yoh and features white washed exposed brick walls, waxed canvas banquettes, a zinc bar, and tables that are repurposed bowling alley lanes.
The Menu: Baldwin and Adam Baumgart's (formally of Marco’s and Prune) menu manages to be vegetable forward while still offering plenty of carnivorous options, including a double patty stack cheeseburger. Right now there is a chicken for two on the menu, but Baldwin tells Eater that is due to a miscommunication with his distributer. The restaurant is open for dinner for now with lunch service expected in early September.