The new Bon Appétit supper club, live and in person.
photo: Garth Johnston
As we mentioned earlier, Bon Appétit launched its "pop up" supper club today in the old Hard Rock Cafe space on 57th Street. It being right around the corner from Zagat HQ, how could we not stop by to see if it lived up to its trippy renderings? And it kind of did.
By the time we got there the masses had already swept in and eaten up all of Govind Armstrong's grilled cheese with pulled short ribs (Friday's special will be Cat Cora's potato–celery root soup), but there was a steady stream of lesser pedigreed sandwiches coming out of the kitchen. According to the checkout woman, the cafe had been bustling all morning – the four people outside ushering in unsuspecting people off the rainy street no doubt helped.
The space is divided into a neon-green cafe/shopping area with a very Au Bon Pain feel to it and a shiny, dark blue eating area with high chairs and tall white tables. Thanks to the streamers hanging from the ceiling, the room feels sort of like a nightclub in an aquarium. Further emphasizing the "club" feel of the space, one corner features a DJ booth and nine white bean bags surrounded by faux-graffiti.
October 25–November 2, 11 AM–3 PM; 221 W. 57th St.; www.basupperclubandcafe.com