Andrew Carmellini Plans French Restaurant in Former Chinatown Brasserie Space
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 3:16PM 
The owners of Chinatown Brasserie announced they are closing their six-year-old restaurant on Lafayette Street today. Josh Pickard, John McDonald, and chef Joe Ng have plans to reopen in a smaller venue in the same neighborhood, where they feel the restaurant can be a better experience. Joe Ng will continue his duties as executive chef at West Village hotspot Redfarm.
Josh Pickard is a partner with Luke Ostrom and Andrew Carmellini in Locanda Verde and The Dutch. Diner's Journal reports today that the powerhouse team is taking over the old Brasserie space and planning a French restaurant.
Mum will be much of the word while the project is in its infant stages, but we know Carmellini is well-versed in French cuisine. He worked under Gary Kunz at Lespinasse and with Daniel Boulud at Cafe Boulud. It will be interesting to see what the partners do with the two floors at 380 Lafayette Street.