Membership Concept Takes Harbour Space and Other CB News

Cobi Levy's new concept for the Beatrice wasn't the only restaurant space to appear at last night's stuffy and packed Community Board 2 meeting. Dozens and dozens had their case heard, but one of the most curious was the case of Parlor Club.

The four man team behind the new restaurant opening in the old Harbour space appeared for the second time before the board to plead their case for some liquor. According to the presentation, the restaurant will focus on "delicacies" like chocolate, cheese, and fine wines and scotches, but it will also feature a full menu from chef Julie Farias, currently the chef of General Greene (Farias, by the way, has no knowledge of this and has never met with these guys). What's weird about it—and this is what the community was initially against—is its membership component. The restaurant owners hope to pull in extra dough by offering a program that gets members special invites to events at the restaurant, face time with sommeliers, special access to the space during the day for meetings, and discounts on meals. Interesting, but they should probably remember that it's going to be hard enough to attract diners to that sad stretch of Hudson, nevermind getting them to pay money for "exclusive" extras. But hey, best of luck to them.

Meanwhile, Boozy NYC has a report on the former Woodson & Ford/Mr. Black space under Corner Shop Cafe:

A very earnest former dancer named Leslie has taken over both the cafe and basement space. The basement is slated to be a lounge, but a place that attracts artists, dancers and "freethinkers" rather than rowdy crowds. Leslie and her associate, who says he has worked at places like the Waldorf and the Plaza, pledge no promoters, loud music, velvet rope or bouncers. The neighbors weren't quite buying it...but we think the new owner will win them over.