:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47674015/leturtle.0.0.jpg)
It looks like any week now the Lower East Side will be graced with a "French New Wave health food" restaurant (at least that's how the liquor license application described it), dubbed Le Turtle, by Taavo Somer (of Freemans) and Carlos Quirarte (of The Smile). The dynamic restaurateur duo joined forces back in the spring to take over the Antonioni's space on Chrystie Street, and as of now it appears to finished and ready to roll, right down to the bar stools, light fixtures, and seasonal pumpkin decorations, by the looks of a photo Bowery Boogie managed to snag.
Le Turtle has been hosting some private parties, including one all the way back in September for hip eyeglasses brand Warby Parker (celebrating a collaboration with fashion brand Maiyet). One instagram from that night gives an idea of what the place looks like (visualize it without the banquet table):
The restaurant is also ready enough to have pens made and mushroom tastings underway, so it has to be moments away from opening. It may just be held up – as is often the case – waiting for some inspection or another, though no word yet on an expected opening or what, exactly, this French New Wave health food menu will contain.
