New York history buffs and artsy NYU alums are sure to be familiar with Le Figaro Café, a longtime Greenwich Village staple formerly frequented by Beat Generation icons like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, musicians Bob Dylan and Lou Reed, and even young actor-on-the-rise, Al Pacino.
Originally opened in 1957, the neighborhood standby for coffee and cheap eats went through quite a few iterations before shuttering in 2008. But now, thanks to husband and wife restaurateur duo, Mario and Marta Skaric, along with partner Florence Zabokritsky, the historic spot has made a modern comeback fit for the next generation of downtown cool kids.
Located at its original address on the corner of Bleecker and MacDougal, the reborn Figaro Café is less beatnik coffee shop than it is contemporary cocktail bar and modern American eatery. Its brick-walled interiors have been given a swanky update with mirrored walls, brass accents, and luxurious tufted blue banquettes. At the 25-foot bar, you'll find a dramatic backdrop of fluted wood panelling, high shelves, and a sliding library ladder to reach the top shelf bottles. And while most aspects of the space have been totally redesigned, one element of the decor pays homage to the original: walls lined with copies of its namesake French newspaper, Le Figaro, from the 1950s and ‘60s.
A lineup of classic cocktails and hearty American fare make up the menu. Think: a selection of martinis and negronis from the bar; steaks, chops, fish, and a signature short rib and brisket burger from the kitchen. And for dessert? A decadent lemon whipped cheesecake or a Baked S’mores Alaska for two. (Let's just say you're going to want to save room.)
Co-owner Mario Skaric hopes the spot returns some of the lost magic of the neighborhood. "I think Figaro adds to a wave of reawakening Greenwich Village - for too long exuberant rents made the area into a neighborhood of empty storefronts. Landlords filled the spaces with fast food spots, chain restaurants or banks," he says. "The new Figaro Café can be what the old one was - a neighborhood oasis, everyone’s favorite go-to bar, a choice for a family night out or a date. We think we created just that."
Ready for a revisit? Click through for your first look inside Figaro 2.0!
[Photos by Liz Clayman courtesy Figaro Café]
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