‘Queer Eye’ Heartthrob Antoni Porowski Will Reopen West Village Classic Village Den

Hit Netflix show Queer Eye’s resident food expert Antoni Porowski is moving full steam ahead on his upcoming NYC restaurant, which will be a fast-casual reboot of the classic West Village diner Village Den.

Village Den, at 225 West 12th St. at Greenwich Avenue, shuttered in May after 36 years in the neighborhood. Now Porowski and partners Eric Marx and Lisle Richards — the duo behind hospitality group Metric, which owns Monarch Room, the Wayfarer, and others — will relaunch the restaurant as an entirely new concept focused on “a wholesome yet fulfilling lifestyle.” That translates to an all-day, counter-service spot with “a market-driven menu” to please various diets.

Though restaurants of that ilk are prolific in NYC these days, interest in Porowski is high. On the uber-popular redesign show, he’s the food guy in charge of helping mainly straight men learn how to cook. This will be his first restaurant, but Porowski has previous hospitality experience working as a busboy, a waiter, a manager, and a sommelier, and even catering for Queer Eye’s original food expert Ted Allen.

Here, he’s teaming up with some serious industry vets. Metric has six restaurants around the city, and while they’re not led by big-name chefs, the company has a reputation for putting out businesses that attract a fashion crowd. Village Den had more of a diner scene, though celebrities such as Andy Cohen frequented the restaurant and lamented its loss.

The projected opening date is September. Stay tuned for more.

• ‘Queer Eye’ Antoni Porowski Makes Hearts Race With Plan for NYC Restaurant