4 years later, Le Jardin Bistro returns, opens in former Apartment 13 space on Avenue C

[Image via Facebook]

Here's more information about the new restaurant that opened Monday in the former Apartment 13 space at 115 Avenue C between East Seventh Street and East Eighth Street.

Turns out it is Le Jardin Bistro, which was originally housed on Cleveland Place until its 2010 closure. (They opened in 1995. Here's a review from the Times.)

A rep for the restaurant emailed us info yesterday:

The new outpost of Le Jardin Bistro will serve well-priced classic dishes like rich and hearty Cassoulet, traditional Steak Frites and Bouillabaisse paired with an equally accessible wine list.

Divided between two floors, Le Jardin Bistro boasts a stately and inviting oyster bar, dining room and small patio on the first floor with an open kitchen, additional dining room and namesake ‘jardin’ seating open year-round on the second floor.

Here's a dinner menu.


[Click on image for more details]

You can find the wine and dessert menus here.

Le Jardin's hours are: Monday - Wednesday 5 p.m.-midnight; Thursday - Saturday 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; closed Sunday.

Apartment 13 closed during the July 4 weekend.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Apartment 13 will not be reopening on Avenue C

Mystery French bistro arrives at former Apartment 13 space on Avenue C

[Photo from July 4]

Apartment 13 at 115 Avenue C between East Seventh Street and East Eighth Street temporarily closed during the July 4 weekend — never to reopen.

In a letter posted to the Apartment 13 Facebook page on July 15, Chef John Keller and his partner Lorrae Doig thanked everyone who supported them, before noting that the restaurant "became collateral damage and fell through the cracks of a faulty foundation due to no fault of its own."

They ended the noted saying they looked forward to seeing people at their next venture.

Just like that yesterday, signs arrived on the former Apartment 13's front doors … noting some kind of French bistro on the way.



Dave on 7th, who took the above photo, also saw a wine delivery to the new bistro. Per Dave on 7th: "Looks like they're just rebranding as a French bistro. The 90s are back!"

However, Keller and Doig have NOTHING to do with this new venture, likely the work of Paul Seres, a partner in The DL on Delancey and Ludlow who was originally behind the Apartment 13 venture.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Apartment 13 will not be reopening on Avenue C

Apartment 13 will not be reopening on Avenue C

Apartment 13 at 115 Avenue C between East Seventh Street and East Eighth Street temporarily closed during the July 4 weekend. Signs on the door pointed diners and reservation holders to its sister restaurant Dinner on Ludlow.

However, a message on Apartment 13's Facebook page now notes that they will not be reopening:

It is with tremendous regret that I tell you all that Apartment 13 has closed its doors indefinitely. We would like to first and foremost express our eternal gratitude to all of you who took a leap of faith and decided to support and join us on what we fondly consider one of the most invaluable experiences of our adult lives.

Thank you all so very much for your unconditional support and unwavering patronage. It is truly humbling the way in which you greeted us with open arms and welcomed us whole-heartedly into what we consider one of the last remaining authentic “communities” in NYC.

Without burdening you all too much with the uglier side of business I'll explain it like this. Similar to a marriage, or divorce rather, our child (Apt 13), became collateral damage and fell through the cracks of a faulty foundation due to no fault of its own. Partnerships, be it business or personal, demands all parties involved to play for the same team at all times. When this fundamental law of business is tampered with, or worse disregarded, the potential for loss exponentially increases until destruction is an inevitability.

There is a P.S.

We look forward to seeing you all in the near future at the opening of our next venture and invite you all to continue the journey with us as we embark upon Chapter 2.

The restaurant, the first for chef John Keller (the executive chef at Dinner on Ludlow), opened last July 25. Apartment 13 featured food that they described as "Modern American interpretations with Japanese and Caribbean influences."

Apartment 13 is temporarily closed

Several EVG readers noted that Apartment 13 at 115 Avenue C was closed during the holiday weekend… and a sign out front points would-be diners and reservation holders to Dinner on Ludlow … inside the much-maligned DL …



Apartment 13's Facebook page notes that they are temporarily closed. The restaurant, the first for chef John Keller (the executive chef at Dinner on Ludlow), opened last July 25 here between East Seventh Street and East Eighth Street.

Apartment 13 nearly ready for occupancy

Dave on 7th notes that the plywood came down at the former location of The Porch on Avenue C between East Seventh and East Eighth Street... Apartment 13 is the new bar-restaurant from Paul Seres, the former president of the New York Nightlife Association and a partner in The DL on Delancey and Ludlow...



A quick refresher on the concept, via CB3 paperwork:

All entrees at Apt 13 will be market driven and will be served in the same style as Korean barbeque. Every dish will be served with side dishes, appetizers, condiments, sauces, salads, and garnitures. Seasonally and locally driven. Family styled dinners. Meant to feel reminiscent of an intimate sit down dinner in our apartment. All dishes will change based on market availability. In following the theme and mission statement of apartment 13 we strive to not only support our local state Farms but also our neighborhood by featuring local artists and supporting local businesses.

There was opposition to this application. CB3 OK'd the liquor license in December (it failed to get the green light in October) ... we wrote about it in December. (Revisit that here.)

No word yet on an opening date.

Old Porch receives new awning for Apartment 13

New awnings arrived this morning at the former location of The Porch on Avenue C between East Seventh and East Eighth Street... Apartment 13 is the new restaurant from Paul Seres, the former president of the New York Nightlife Association and a partner in The DL on Delancey and Ludlow... You can read more about plans for this space here.

In summary:

All entrees at Apt 13 will be market driven and will be served in the same style as Korean barbeque. Every dish will be served with side dishes, appetizers, condiments, sauces, salads, and garnitures. Seasonally and locally driven. Family styled dinners. Meant to feel reminiscent of an intimate sit down dinner in our apartment.

Thanks to EVG reader Jared for the photo.

Plywood arrives for Apartment 13, the new restaurant from Paul Seres on Avenue C

Plywood went up late last week at the former location of The Porch on Avenue C between East Seventh and East Eighth Street... Apartment 13 is the new restaurant from Paul Seres, the former president of the New York Nightlife Association and a partner in The DL on Delancey and Ludlow...

A quick refresher on the concept, via CB3 paperwork:

All entrees at Apt 13 will be market driven and will be served in the same style as Korean barbeque. Every dish will be served with side dishes, appetizers, condiments, sauces, salads, and garnitures. Seasonally and locally driven. Family styled dinners. Meant to feel reminiscent of an intimate sit down dinner in our apartment. All dishes will change based on market availability. In following the theme and mission statement of apartment 13 we strive to not only support our local state Farms but also our neighborhood by featuring local artists and supporting local businesses.

There was opposition to this application. CB3 OK'd the liquor license in December (it failed to get the green light in October) ... we wrote about it in December. (Revisit that here.)

Here is what CB3 signed off on... via the minutes from the CB3 website (PDF)

Apartment 13 (115 Ave C LLC), 115 Ave C (op)
VOTE: To deny the application for a full on‐premise liquor license for 115 Avenue C LLC, with a proposed business name of Apartment 13, for the premise located at 115 Avenue C, unless the applicant agrees before the SLA to make as conditions of its license the following signed notarized stipulation that
1) it will operate as a full‐service restaurant, specifically a comfort food restaurant, with a kitchen open and serving food during all hours of operation,
2) its hours of operation will be 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 A.M. Sundays through Wednesdays and 4:00 P.M. to
12:00 A.M. Thursdays through Saturday,
3) it will play ambient background music only, consisting of recorded music, and not have live music, DJs,
promoted events, scheduled performances or any events at which a cover fee will be charged,
4) it will close façade doors and windows at 9:00 P.M. weeknights and 10:00 P.M.; Fridays and Saturdays,
5) it will only commercially use the second floor patio if it is first completely enclosed and soundproofed,
6) it will install additional soundproofing per the recommendation of an acoustical report, and
7) it will designate an employee to control crowds and noise on the sidewalk.
Community Board #3 is approving this application for a full on‐premise liquor license although this is a location in an area with numerous licensed premises because 1) Paul Seres, the principal of this application, has a longstanding history as a responsible liquor license holder at other licensed businesses, 2) this is an application for a full‐service restaurant with a locally sourced food and drink menu and moderate operating hours, and 3) this application will replace a preexisting problematic business.

No word yet on an opening date.