Going Going, Back Back, to Bolo Bolo

[324 Lafayette]Bobby Flay wasn't an owner when he started his career with Mesa Grill. He became a partner after a year and a half as the executive chef. The first project he opened as an owner was Bolo. That happened in 1993 on East 22nd Street, where the restaurant enjoyed a 15-year run. The menu there was a break from Flay's southerwestern cooking and highlighted his Spanish influences. As his first restaurant, it's a project Flay holds close to his heart. That's why, although it closed more than five years ago, the Iron Chef wants to bring the restaurant back to Manhattan.

Flay and buisness partner Laurence Kretchmer got approval from Community Board 2 last week for a full liquor license at 324 Lafayette Street. It's not yet confirmed, but there's a strong possibility Bolo will be the new tenant. Either way, Flay promised New Yorkers they'd see Bolo reopen in 2013. If it happens at 324, and with Andrew Carmellini's highly anticipated French project (Lafayette) opening in a few weeks at 380 two blocks north, it could be a big year for big names in Noho.