Two years ago details emerged about Hotel Chantelle, a somewhat kooky restaurant, subterranean lounge, and rooftop club opening on Ludlow from the owner of Williamsburg bars Royal Oak and Sweet Ups. The 7,500 square foot space promised a "Edward scissorhandian topiary garden" that can be sealed in the winter, a lounge accessed only by skeleton key, parties "the likes of which the city hasn't seen since 1983," and international style tapas.
Now, just 22 months later than scheduled, the multipurpose space is beginning to emerge. Bowery Boogie stops by the place and learns the restaurant portion—which seats a whopping 390—is mostly operational, serving a full bar, salads, and small plates of fruit, cheese, and bread. After its official debut in the next few weeks, it will offer a full "French Colonial" menu.
As for the look, it's dim, swanky, covered to the brim in resalvaged wood and outfitted with some plush red booths and reto bar stools. The other floors are scheduled to roll out in the next six weeks, and the basement club will be a "a casual hangout for friends of staff, press, and 'people in the neighborhood'" that BB correctly notes could spiral into an exclusive VIP situation.
Expect to hear a lot more about this place as it's slowly unveiled.
· Hotel Chantelle Quietly Soft Opens at 92 Ludlow [BB]
· The Plywood Coda: More on Hotel Chantelle [~ENY~]
[BB]