Todd English, the celebrity chef who operates the food hall in The Plaza Hotel, is said to be cooking up plans for a new food hall on 7th Avenue.
The space at 191 Seventh Avenue, between West 21st and 22nd streets, was last occupied by the controversial restaurant Il Bastardo. According to DNAinfo a representative for English sent an email inquiry to several local block associations regarding the space this week. Another representative for English confirmed that he is indeed looking to take over the space.
The “food hall/market” would “fill [the] community with many helpful amenities from… fresh coffee with fresh breads and pastries to cold pressed fresh juices in your mornings,” the email sent to neighbors said. “Asian delights like sushi and authentically made dumplings and gyoza will be neighbors to some Mediterranean and European influences for lunch and dinner all under one roof, tendered under one payment.”
“Domestic cuisines as well as some South American treats will fill the air with aromas like nowhere in the neighborhood,” the note obtained by by DNAinfo continues.
Locals, burned on Il Bastardos rowdy crowd, nixed chef Kristine Sollenne’s plans to open a restaurant in the space because she planned to serve liquor. English will also be trying to secure a liquor license for the space, so we’ll have to wait and see if his luck is any better. [DNAinfo] —Christopher Cameron