Camille Becerra Now in the Kitchen at Hotel Chantelle

Back in January, news broke that former Paloma chef/owner and Top Chef contestant Camille Becerra had left LES restaurant APL, just a few days before it was slated to open. The joint still hasn't made its debut yet, but today Steve Lewis brings word that Becerra is now in the kitchen at three-month-old cocktail den Hotel Chantelle, just around the corner. For those that don't remember, that's the place that originally promised an "Edward scissorhandian topiary garden" when the weather gets nice, as well as a lounge accessible only via a skeleton key, among other magical features.

Anyway, Hotel Chantelle is getting ready to roll out its dinner menu any day now, and Becerra will be cooking food in a "French Colonial" style. Of her new digs, Lewis notes: "It’s a great fit with her. The personalities at Chantelle bring out the best in her, while the same could not be said about the her interactions with the APL crew." He also notes that he went to Eater's own Max Silvestri's comedy show. And he dug it!

And as for APL, that restaurant is apparently "just inches away from opening."
· Camille Becerra Gets the Last Laugh [Black Book]
· Camille Becerra Out at APL Before it Even Opens [~ENY~]
· All Camille Becerra Coverage [~ENY~]
· All Hotel Chantelle Coverage [~ENY~]
[photo: Krieger]