Florent, My Favorite New York French Restaurant, is Closing

It’s definitely the end of an era- Florent, a New York Institution is closing.

Florent is my favorite French restaurant in New York. Technically, it’s an old American diner with simple French bistro food located in the meatpacking district of Manhattan. It opened in 1985, when it still was the real meatpacking district with sides of beef hanging from big hooks and butchers in bloodstained white coats, way before trendy lounges with overly creative mixed cocktails for $20 and big –egoed chefs expanded their empires by opening extravagant theme restaurants took over the neighborhood.

The food was decent and reliable just like the restaurant, which was open 24 hours a day. What was special was the atmosphere and the people. I would always run into friends or make new ones no matter when I went there. Something about it made you always feel instantly at home and a having a good time was an unwritten guarantee. The wait staff was friendly and funny and they shared tales of their fascinating careers outside the restaurant.

Florent is named after the owner Florent Morellet, a former Parisian, who put the big in BIG personality. His boundless energy, great sense of humor, and tireless dedication to the New York gay community and his neighborhood made him the token mayor of downtown. Organizing buses to leave from in front of the restaurant to go to Washington DC for protest marches for abortion rights and AIDS demonstrations was just one of the many things he did to support the community. So passionate about his causes he would hit up his celebrity customers to fund them.


Way Bigger than Life

So when I heard the sad news a few months ago, I decided to return for my last meal when I was in New York. I went for dinner with a group of high energy friends to simultaneously celebrate and mourn the mighty Florent.It was crowded as usual and as I was waiting at the bar I ran into Dorinda, one of the waitresses who had been there for years. We kissed and hugged each other her Hello! and Goodbye! I ordered my favorite dish that’s been on the menu since the beginning, Evelyn’s salad, with curly lettuce, new potatoes, goat cheese, and a creamy vinaigrette dressing. It was as good as I always remembered it, by the portion was skimpier than usual. Of course, I ran into people I knew sitting on both sides of me. As I was sitting there laughing and carousing with my friends at my table and my neighboring ones, I remembered why I liked it so much: it still felt like home even though I live in Paris.

Florent was the first New York restaurant to have a Bastille Day celebration. Starting in 1989, they closed off the street every year for the outrageous fete where Florent himself would dress as Marie Antoinette. It started a trend where all the New York French restaurants followed suit and have their own celebrations.

Even though I Prefer Paris, I still Love New York and Florent was one of the reasons why. A New York treasure and tradition that will surely be missed.

The restaurant will be closing on June 29th, so if you want to pay your last respects, please go before then and let me know how it was. Click on their website to find out about special performances by Penny Arcade, John Kelly, the Dueling Bankheads, Jackie Hoffman, Joey Arias, and Murray Hill.

Please read the wonderful, heartwarming and insightful article from the New York Times

Florent
69 Gansevoort St. NYC, 10014
Reservations 212-989-5779
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
www.restaurantflorent.com

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Comments

[erica]

I also am a huge fan of Florent. I loved going there when I used to work in the Meatpacking District. Its the only place that still has that original feel. I will miss it!

[Kim Poulin]

Richard
After watching the slide show on nyt.com I can see why you loved the place. New York will be a tiny bit less without it to be sure.
Hope all is well in your world
Kim

[Katrin B]

So it is true, all good things come to an end!
First the meat packing district then Florent. Oh NON!
Used to go to Florent's, even photographed him ages ago during the bastille day,
as Marie-Antoinette.

katrin

[Laurence Waltman]

I was in NYC for the last 2 days (day off and not called to rehearsal). Joseph and I had a farewell lunch at FLORENT. The neighborhood is getting so slick. Now The Hog Pit is closing as well - it certainly does not have the mystique and history of Florent but it is/was nonetheless one of the last local kind of places (not to mention they had great ribs!).

[Rosemary Flannery]

I heard from a dear friend in the States that Florent is organising 'grieving menus'! wonder what that could be. . .