West Village bistro Libertine will open a new French restaurant and bar in Greenwich Village this year. Owner Cody Pruitt’s Chateau Royale will debut at 205 Thompson Street at Bleecker Street in the spring. Through the food and space, it’ll pay homage to iconic French restaurants, both in New York and abroad. The new place will most likely include items such as escargots a la Bourguignonne, takes on dishes like the Dover sole inspired by shuttered restaurant La Grenouille, and the sea bass and caviar sauce at Paris restaurant L’Ambroisie, according to a rep. There will be an all-French wine list (with natural options) and cocktails made tableside. The name had changed from its original La Royale.
Chateau Royale will reside in a two-floor townhouse: The first-floor bar will take its design cues from Zürich restaurant Kronenhalle and Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, with dark green leather booths and the emerald marble bar. The second floor features the main dining room, with its design inspirations stemming from iconic New York French restaurants such as Lutèce: which means vintage details and velvet banquettes.
Barclays has an exciting new food stand
Shirwin Burrowes, the Barbadian American chef and Uncle Boon’s alum behind the pop-up Pop’s Patties has opened a food stand at Barclays Center; it debuted on January 4. Burrowes will also continue to sell his patties — some of the city’s best — at the various Winner locations in Brooklyn.
Greenpoint Polish restaurant launches GoFundMe
Family-run Greenpoint Polish restaurant Polka Dot launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the business stay open. It’s been struggling since the pandemic, as reported by Greenpointers, and now, it’s looking to raise $250,000 to pay utility bills and tax debts and be able to hire more staff. Co-owners Mariusz Parys (who died in 2005) and Marzena Parys opened their shop Polski Deli Market in 1996. After Mariusz passed away in 2005, Marzena turned the store into Polish restaurant Polka Dot in 2016.
Update, January 30: This article, originally published on January 7, has been updated to reflect Chateau Royale’s current name.
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