UPPER WEST SIDE — A reality TV chef is helming a new two-story gastropub on a stretch of Columbus Avenue near West 107th Street.
Chef Rob McCue — whose claims to fame include a role on Bravo TV's short-lived "Chef Roble and Co.," about a high-end New York City catering company, as well as competing on season eight of "Hell's Kitchen" — will oversee the menu.
The restaurant, which doesn't yet have a name, will open at 949 Columbus Ave. in the space formerly occupied by the Mediterranean spot Lura.
"We’re going to turn this into a London-style gastropub and bring it to the Upper West Side, where one doesn’t really exist," McCue said at a Community Board 7 meeting Wednesday.
"It’s basically comfort food, [but] really higher-end in a more relaxed setting," said McCue.
He described the menu as "food like you’d get at Daniel without dressing up," but did not elaborate on specific selections.
In addition to lunch and dinner, the new restaurant will serve craft beers mainly sourced from New York state, he said. On Sundays, the restaurant plans to offer live jazz during brunch.
Local resident David Ackerman, who has lived in the area for 20 years, is heading operations outside the kitchen.
Over the past decades, "I’ve seen Amsterdam Avenue develop in a very positive manner; I've seen Columbus Avenue slowly start to develop," he said.
"I’m hoping that our venture will be a nice enhancement to that area."
The majority of seating at the two-story restaurant is located in the 1,200-square-foot basement, which will fit about 60 seats, said Ackerman.
The restaurant plans to return to the community board to request an outdoor cafe that will include six tables and 12 chairs.
Thursday through Saturday, the basement-level will stay open until 4 a.m., closing at 2 a.m. all other nights. The restaurant will open at 8 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.
The Community Board's Business and Consumer Issues committee approved the restaurant's application for a liquor license on Wednesday. The State Liquor Authority will have the final say.
Ackerman said some renovations were planned for the space and it is not yet clear when it will open.
