Gabe Stulman Signs Lease at West Village Icon Fedora

The fate of West Village legend Fedora has been decided: Gabe Stulman of Joseph Leonard, has signed the lease, and will be taking over operations after closing for a renovation that will keep most of the cherished design details, along with the name, of the restaurant intact.

While presenting his case for a liquor license transfer at last night’s Community Board 2 meeting, Stulman gave an eloquent speech on the history and importance of the eatery in the neighborhood, and his close relationship with Ms. Fedora Dorato, the chef and owner. As Stulman described it, the 90 year-old Dorato was approached by many interested parties, but Gabe was the only one she felt that she could trust to carry on the restaurant so that she could retire. Stulman has, after all, opened three successful West Village restaurants, which are beloved by the neighborhood, and he himself lives right down the block from the red sauce joint.

As it was described, Fedora 2.0 will undergo a renovation similar to that of the Minetta Tavern: a few structural overhauls will be put in place, but the space will basically remain exactly as it appears today. Stulman hopes to reopen Fedora as a “casual elegant supper club” that will serve late into the night, in the hopes of appealing to both neighbors and the service industry community looking for great after hours eats -- ideally, opening at 5 PM and closing at 4 AM, seven days a week.

Among the gaggle of community members who spoke in favor of Gabe at the meeting, was none other than Fedora’s son, a dentist who works above the restaurant, who noted that the restaurateur was just like his mom “but 55 years younger, and with a beard.”
· All Fedora Coverage on Eater [~ENY~]
· All Gabe Stulman Coverage on Eater [~ENY~]