‘Can’t stop, won’t stop’ could easily be Anna Weinberg’s personal mantra. The co-founder of the Big Night Restaurant Group has announced plans for a sixth restaurant, Petit Marlowe, opening in March 2017. Weinberg and her powerhouse partner, James Nicholas, will take over Mark Bright’s Les Clos space on Townsend Street in South Beach. Bright is the talented sommelier who helped chef Joshua Skenes open Saison and is also the owner of Vinyl Wine Bar on Divisadero. At Les Clos, Bright serves up traditional French fare and hard-to-find labels of interesting wine. This French-inspired vibe will be carried over to Petit Marlowe and Bright will stay on as a wine advisor.
The charming 50-seat restaurant has hopes of transporting diners to Paris. Weinberg, designer Ken Fulk, and the Big Night Group’s creative director, Jake Mogelson, recently traveled to the city in search of vintage decor finds for the new space. They hit up the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen flea market where they posed with faux ducks and then researched authentic French cuisine by enjoying a meal that included escargot at Brasserie Lipp. Decor will be cozy, but chic with a distinctly luxe Gallic vibe. Think maroon banquette seating, a carrera marble bar that runs the length of the space, and shelves that house chinoiserie, ceramics, and vintage silver serving pieces. Crystal chandeliers, mirrored ceiling panels, and brass cocktail tables complete the Petit Marlowe’s look that is infused with old world glamour.
Chef Jennifer Puccio is crafting a highly-edited selection of European small plates including cheeses, dips, salads, eggs, and brasseries classics like steak tartare. The raw bar program that has flourished at Big Night’s most recently opened restaurant, Leo’s Oyster Bar, will be installed at Petit Marlowe. An impressive array of seafood will be on display in custom made glass cases. Pastry chef Emily Luchetti will offer a collection of desserts and Bright’s wine list will feature great value French labels and the Burgandys he is so well-known for. Weinberg hopes the restaurant will become a neighborhood hot spot, beloved wine bar, and happening oystertte.
Haute Scene
December 28, 2016Ken Fulk, Sonya Molodetskaya, Mary Gonsalves Kinney Named Top
