An EVG reader noted that Casimir at 103-105 Avenue B was closed last night ... with paper up in its windows.
There isn't any mention of this on the French restaurant's website, Facebook page or outgoing voicemail. In any event, the closure is just temporary.
The restaurant between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street was on this month's CB3/SLA committee agenda for an alteration. According to paperwork (PDF!) at the CB3 website, Casimir's management is moving the bar from the south side (103) of the restaurant to the north side (105).
The CB3 meeting was last night. We didn't hear how this vote went ... and we don't know why this bar move might be an issue.
Also, no word yet when the work will be complete at Casimir.
Update: see first comment for more details on the renovation.
9 comments:
I dined at Casimir on the last night and the employees informed us that they are indeed closing for renovations on the north side to make it a "speakeasy" type bar (which is perhaps why it went up for discussion with CB3). The restaurant will re-open for Valentine's Day under the new name "Pardon My French". The menu should be the same or very similar as the chef will be the same.
Although I objected to the somewhat cheesy new name, I was told it was too late to choose something different (or keep the old one)...
"Pardon my French" sounds like a bid to get the 20-somethings in the door. "OMG that's soooo cute".
That is REALLY too bad. Casimir was my favorite French bistro in the neighborhood.
Things started going downhill when they began hiring waitresses who were around 20 years old. Last summer during brunch, one of them didn't know what Campari was when I tried to order some. She didn't care either. Just kind of shrugged. "What's that? Never heard of it." *shrug* "Well, dear, you might want to ask the bartender. Hopefully he knows." After screwing up the drink twice (Campari and orange juice), her 21-yr old cohort said, "Ugh! I can't believe you drink this stuff!" The "speakeasy" should be a barrel of laughs.
I heard the same regarding renovations. I love casimir, but the new name change? Sucre de blue.
A "speakeasy"? Give me a fucking break. That and the name sound like they'll appeal to the lowest common denominator. I liked Casimir, too. I hope this lame "speakeasy" bullshit doesn't define the place.
They are not making Casimir a speakeasy. There was a huge private dining room that was being under utilized right off the front of the restaurant. So it makes sense to move the bar into it, creating a really cool bar and lounge room.
The owner showed me the renderings for the renovation and it looks brilliant. The menu will keep some of the staples but also move the menu a bit more nouveau French, more smaller plate options. Although I wouldn't have changed a thing about the old Casimir, some weeknights and even weekends were a bit slow at dinner. It is a deceptively big restaurant so I applaud the attempt to bring in more of the dinner crowd and I am sure they will do it. As for the new name, hopefully they keep it off the door, ha. I am going to call it PMF Or Pe-em-euf
The author of the first comment, who I just might be married to, did not mean to imply that they were turning the entire establishment into a speakeasy. On their final night of dinner service the waiter told us that the bar would be moved from the south to the north side, with the idea of making the north side have the feel or appearance of a speakeasy bar. However, the south side will be "spruced up", but will still be a restaurant/dining room with a similar but modernized menu.
It's a pity they have to change it, but the waiter pointed out to us that they have not been getting enough business to keep things as they were.
Let's not judge before we see it (except perhaps for that new name) - its good to hear that the renderings look great.
Any updates on this? I used to love this restaurant.
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