Stephen Starr Takes Old Paris Commune Space

The guys from Swine, and pretty much everyone else who appeared at last night's meeting, got a pass from Community Board 2 SLA's Licensing Committee, but mega-restaurateur Stephen Starr sure didn't. The King of Philly wants to open a restaurant at 99 Bank Street, the former home of Paris Commune that Scott Conant had been eying, and told the board he's signed a lease on the space. He's planning a spot with 43 tables, about 150 seats, and a bar. While some neighbors sounded pumped to have him come into the space, others were worried about noise, prices, traffic, and the usual neighbor-type concerns and couldn't agree on closing times with Starr.

The board recommended Starr layover his proposal until next month's meeting while he works out his issues with his neighbors, but he tells Grub Street he thinks he'll be able to smooth it over just fine.
—Reporting by Sarah Rose
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