Opening tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21: Bar Artisanal, a more-casual spin-off of Artisanal, Terrance Brennan’s Murray Hill restaurant known for its cheese selection. It’s in the space that was briefly Trigo, on West Broadway just south of Canal. Presumably, Trigo suffered for being inside a Hilton Garden Inn (people may have thought it was affiliated with the hotel), in a location with little walking traffic. The name recognition of Artisanal should help counteract those problems.
Brennan is calling the new restaurant a “barstro”—a combination of bar and bistro—but the menu looks far more appealing than that term. From the press release: “The Bar du Fromage et Charcuterie will serve a selection of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. Think sushi bar but with cheese and cured meats. A communal table in the bar will encourage impromptu and communal dining, while a wood-fired oven will turn out pissaladières (French-style pizzas) including one with sheep’s-milk ricotta, fava beans, and mint pesto.” There will also be small plates such as “warm carpaccio Black Angus with truffle dressing,” and a “Menu du Burgers,” including a lamb burger with goat-cheese fondue; nothing is under $20.
For now, the restaurant is only open for dinner, with lunch and brunch coming soon. For reservations, call 212-925-1600 or check OpenTable.