Chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr Plan to Open New Restaurant in Former Cercle Rouge Space

The chefs who opened Balthazar and Minetta Tavern with Keith McNally are planning a new project in the West Broadway space that was previously home to Cercle Rouge. Brass Monkey restaurateur Sean Cunningham tells Tribeca Citizen that he’s an investor in a project at 241 W. Broadway that will be helmed by Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr. The team is applying for a liquor license at this space, and Cunningham’s name is listed on the CB1 agenda. No word yet on what type of restaurant Hanson and Nasr are envisioning for this space, but the desired hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., so they're planning an all-day affair. The opening of this Tribeca restaurant will mark the return of one of NYC’s most succesful chef duos. In addition to Balthazar and Minetta, Hanson and Nasr also ran the kitchens at Pastis and Schiller’s Liquor Bar. They cut ties with McNally back in 2013.

Hanson and Nasr were slated to take over the food and beverage at the Hotel Chelsea — including its ancient Spanish restaurant El Quijote — but word on the street is that the deal fell through. El Quijote remains untouched, and now Hanson and Nasr have set their sights on Tribeca. If everything works out, this new establishment would be situated about 10 blocks away from McNally’s newest baby, the forthcoming Augustine in the Beekman Hotel.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Hanson/Nasr comeback as they become available. And if you hear anything about this new restaurant — or any exciting NYC eating or drinking establishment for that matter— please remember that the tipline is always open, and anonymity is guaranteed.