I met our web designer at Campagnolo tonight, ostensibly to discuss plans for the second beta version of Scout (due next Monday) but really just to check the much anticipated casual Italian restaurant out on their first night. Campagnolo (Italian slang for “country bumpkin”) is the second restaurant from Tom Doughty, Robert Belcham, and Tim Pittman. Fuel on West 4th was their first.
The bar wasn’t even finished when I walked in at a little after 6pm, but by the time I was done my main it was all done and looking super swank. The whole package has a very modern and elegant feel to it, but it gels better than I thought it would with the gritty block on which it’s located. It’s still not fully complete, as they’re expecting a wall divider and some new wallpaper within the next little bit. Dinner was made doubly superb by the fact that it was dirt cheap.
Curious as to what it looked like while under construction? Click here for a short film.
Were they open to the public? Where are the people?
Yes, there were plenty of people. This was a very quiet soft opening, done at the last minute. I counted over 20 covers at one point.
Huzzah – now i know where I’m going for dinner tonight!
Congratulations guys. I’ll be heading over for dinner tonight too.
OK, good. I stopped in last week, but they obviously weren’t *quite* ready yet.
Just called ahead to confirm they were open, and evidently it’s just for “friends and family”. Officially open Friday for dinner. I know the wrong people, I guess.*sulk*
Not being friend or family went to La Quercia last night. It was excellent.
Went last night – room was full and buzzing. Food was excellent, wine list made me happy and service was warm and informed. Dessert was especially yummy – the pannecotta was killer, as was the selection of grappa. Will be back.