It has been quite a revolving door of businesses over at 200 Lenox Avenue but apparently the new name for restaurant that will be opening at West 120th Street will be Barawine. A Bespoke reader sent in the lower photo with the announcement which has a different moniker then what the Times reported this past spring:
LINK. Unless a star chef is at hand, most folks uptown want moderately priced restaurants that are not too formal so lets hope the third time is the charm. Does anyone remember that caviar bar that used to be at this corner about six years ago?
I sure hope this is something good! I walk by there all the time and would love an excuse to stop in for a bite.
ReplyDeleteAnother wine bar? Say it ain't so.
ReplyDeleteI hope Barawine is a good addition to the existing establishments on lower Lenox and makes the area more of a destination benefiting all. Lower Lenox has some of the best architecture along with the brownstone side streets, this mini restaurant row has the potential to be very special.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest issue with Auberge was that the wine was typically $14 a glass with a pretty minimal selection and no real menu to speak of. This neighborhood will not support that unless you have a large selection and various options with a really knowledgeable staff. We need a local place that is easy to walk into and be a local. Not a destination place since the draw isn't really there yet to support it longterm.
ReplyDeleteI clicked through the link provided in the blurb above, and saw the earlier comments about new residents in Harlem spending their money downtown. I'm moving to the Mount Morris section in a few months and fully intend to patronize the Local Harlem businesses. I don't just want a real estate deal, I want to invest in a community with such rich history and a local community that deserves to benefit from the arrival of new residents (and new $$).
ReplyDeleteMaybe instead of just focusing on the merits of individual businesses, Harlem also need a marketing campaign to get new locals more familiar with the neighborhood, and get the downtown interested in givign uptown a try.
Whatever Barawine winds up being, I pledge to give them a try!
I live in this area and spend as much time as possible locally (vs down south). There are just things we do not have here - decent Asian food, steaks, bagels, etc. there is clearly demand for this stuff - Jado Sushi is on fire with business...
ReplyDeleteI like wine as much as the next guy, but I think you need a full liq license to run a successful restaurant or bar.
I moved into the area a year ago and am a huge supporter of local bars/shops and restaurants. The problem with Auberge Laurent was that whilst I'm happy to pay $$ for a decent glass of wine, I'm not happy to pay $$ for the stingiest portion of cheese or salami, that anybody has ever in all seriousness offered me, accompanied by a couple of dried up crackers from a packet and a squirt of mustard. That's just cheeky and makes me feel nickled & dimed. People who are out drinking need something to mop up the alcohol, whether it be full-on dinner, or just interesting small plates. I hope the new place has the foresight to realize this - I'll certainly be giving it a try.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the name is unusual I am encouraged by the "neighborhood restaurant" name. Fingers crossed they do a nice job,
ReplyDeletecan we get a d*mn Chipotle or a Starbucks on Lenox Ave between 116th and 125th like every other neighborhood??? Enough with these fancy Barawine and other high priced nonsense that will go out of business within a year..
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