Here's some horrifying news. Eater.com is reporting that Florent will be closing sooner rather than later. We had heard that the restaurant's lease was up for renewal this year.
"Certain retail real estate brokers working on behalf of Florent's landlord, the Gottleib Family (who own a great deal of the West Village and the Meatpacking District), are quietly shopping the Florent space at 69 Gansevoort Street. More than one restaurant owner has been contacted with the offer: ground floor, second floor, backyard and roof garden, for between $150 and $300 a square foot. (Sidebar: there's a roof garden and second floor?)
The timing of a closure is still unclear, even to Florent owner Florent Morellet, who we reached by phone today. He says, "I can't tell you [when we'll close]. Nobody will know until the fat lady sings, as we say. I'll fight with the last bone in my body."
NO, Don't tell me that! Florent is such a great guy. Years ago when I worked for NOW, he threw a great benefit for us for FREE! He's just lovely and his food is great!
Posted by: jordanash | February 03, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Very sad news. It just never ends.
Posted by: kenneth | February 14, 2008 at 11:25 PM
save Florent, NYC, prove against all evidence to the contrary that you do indeed have a heart. Vive Florent, long may he wave.
Posted by: cd | February 15, 2008 at 12:02 PM