La Cave des Fondus Opens in New York City
NEW YORK, December 15, 2008 -
- Jacques Ouari introduces the Parisian quirk of drinking wine from baby
bottles to Manhattan
Manhattan restaurateur Jacques Ouari is giving New Yorkers a cause to
celebrate this holiday season with La Cave des Fondus [20 Prince Street, New
York City, +1-212-966-5073]. Ouari’s spirited, subterranean fondue restaurant
Is the first of its kind in Manhattan to introduce the Parisian phenomenon of
drinking wine from baby bottles to a city that thought it had it all.
This absurdist Nolita den is based on Le Refuge des Fondus, the Parisian
restaurant known for its raucous dining experience and wine served in
biberons. Ouari discovered Le Refuge des Fondus in Paris and became convinced
that Manhattan was ripe for a similar concept. The practice of using baby
bottles originated as a way for restaurateurs to avoid paying tax on wine
served in stemware and has since become popular. No such tax exists in
Manhattan, only Ouari’s drive to share this piece of France.
With inspiration and boldness, Ouari has brought this quirky past-time to
Manhattan. The communal dining experience provides a dose of humor as diners
traverse the long wooden tables for their seat in the banquettes on the
opposite side. Biberons, the piece de resistance, are filled with wines
starting at US$8, cocktails, and draft beers. There is glassware for those
preferring to sideline les biberons.
Ouari serves two savory fondues: Savoyarde (a blend of Swiss, Gruyere and
Comte; US$23 per person) and Chinoise-style Bourguignonne (hanger steak
cooked at the table in beef bouillon with two dipping sauces; US$23 per
person); and two types of sweet fondue: Valrhona chocolate with Choux a la
Creme Patissiere or seasonal fruit for US$10 per person.
The 40-seat restaurant occupies the space beneath Jacques-Ouari’s Nolita
bistro often populated with French expatriates. A six-seat bar serves French
plates like housemade Pate de Campagne, cheese and charcuterie. A
hand-painted mural takes up the entirety of a far wall and mirrors the
bucolic scene.
La Cave des Fondus is located beneath Jacques at 20 Prince Street in New
York City. Messages are checked regularly at +1-212-966-5073. Hours: Monday
through Wednesday and Sunday from 6:00PM-1:00AM and Thursday through Saturday
from 6:00PM to 2:00AM. http://www.jacquesnyc.com.
Source: La Cave des Fondus
Jacqueline Burke, +1-212-255-6717, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), of Bullfrog & Baum for La Cave des Fondus