BPC Gets Shake Shack, Blue Smoke, Third Meyer Restaurant

For weeks we'd heard rumblings that Danny Meyer and Co. had been eyeing spaces in old the Embassy Suites complex (now known as the The Conrad) down in Battery Park City, with the possibility of maybe a Shake Shack and maybe a new location of Blue Smoke in the works.

Now, Broad Sheet Daily brings word via its newsletter that at last night's Community Board 1 meeting, Meyer himself was in attendance to confirm that he is in fact opening three restaurants in the complex, which include, yes, a Shake Shack, and yes, a Blue Smoke, but also another totally new fine dining concept which he says will be in the vein of the Union Square Cafe. This new white tablecloth restaurant will be in the old Pacific Rim space, and has a yet-to-be-determined theme, but Meyer says he's "creating something from scratch."

While presenting his support of the development of the Goldman Sachs-owned complex, Meyer noted "I don't know of a more beautiful, more developed neighborhood where you have to cross a highway every time to get to fine dining." Danny also hinted at plans for bakery component to the Blue Smoke space, offering "cakes, pies and cupcakes." No word yet on when any of these restaurants will open, but two Danny Meyer classics plus a bakery and a new fine dining concept? That's a major, major win for the BPC.

UPDATE: Here's the official press release from Union Square Hospitality Group:

DANNY MEYER’S UNION SQUARE HOSPITALITY GROUP TO BRING BLUE SMOKE, SHAKE SHACK AND A NEW FINE DINING RESTAURANT TO BATTERY PARK CITY

Three New Restaurants to Light the North End of Battery Park

July 29, 2010, New York – Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) is pleased to announce it will open its second Blue Smoke, a Shake Shack and a new, yet-to-be-named fine dining restaurant in Battery Park City in 2011. These new openings provide USHG with the opportunity to participate in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan, helping to further position Battery Park City as a compelling destination for area families, neighboring residents, office workers, New Yorkers and tourists.

The USHG restaurants will anchor the development at 102 North End Avenue: Blue Smoke will be located on Vesey Street (between North End Avenue and West Street), Shake Shack on Murray Street (Northeast corner of the pedestrian walkway between North End Avenue and West Street; facing the ball field) and the new, yet-to-be-named fine dining restaurant at the Northwest corner of North End Avenue and Murray Street (facing the Battery Park community).

“My colleagues and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to invest in a location with as much history, momentum and opportunity as Battery Park City,” said USHG CEO Danny Meyer. “We are honored to contribute to the ongoing renaissance of this neighborhood and hope each of these restaurants will become enduring, beloved gathering places for the entire community – residents, businesses, hotel guests, New Yorkers and visitors alike.”

This is not the first time USHG has played a role in the development and growth of Manhattan neighborhoods – the company has for many years been committed to Union Square and Gramercy Park (beginning with the opening of Union Square Cafe in 1985, Gramercy Tavern in 1994 and Maialino in 2009) as well as the Madison Square Park/Flatiron community (Eleven Madison Park & Tabla in 1998, followed by Blue Smoke in 2002 and Shake Shack in 2004).

Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) includes several of New York City’s most beloved restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5, located at The Museum of Modern Art, El Verano Taquería and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, as well as Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient, a learning business. USHG is best known for its blend of excellent food and its unique style of warm hospitality. Actively involved in the community, USHG and its employees are committed to extending its enlightened hospitality beyond the walls of its restaurants through its support of hunger relief and civic organizations as well as other causes. Meyer, his restaurants, and chefs have earned an unprecedented 21 James Beard Awards, as well as numerous other media accolades. Six of the company’s restaurants are included in Zagat’s list of the Most Popular Restaurants in NYC, including Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe which have vied for the #1 and #2 spots over the past decade.

· Blue Smoke Also Rumored for BPC Space [~ENY~]