The legendary Beatrice Inn is back! But whether it’s better than ever is still yet to be decided. Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and partners Emil Varda and Brett Rasinski breathed new life into the storied downtown gem a few weeks ago, transforming it from a celebrity-filled late-night hotspot to a cozy New York chophouse with seasonal offerings.
The revamped Beatrice Inn — Carter’s third restaurant to date — has an old-school vibe with a bar in the front, an airy dining room in the back and a library-style dining room off to the side. The menu from Per Se vet Brian Nasworthy includes lamb chops, a roasted chicken, a shrimp cocktail, a burger and several steaks. But the cocktail menu might not be for the faint of heart. According to Grub street, patrons can expect Habu-Snake Sake to be listed on its drink menu, which includes liquor that has been infused with “pit viper.” But don’t worry about the drink being poisonous — the alcohol helps the venom dissolve and become non-lethal.
The new Bea promises to be a neighborly place, with a published phone number and reservations on OpenTable. “Democracy will be the order of the day at the Beatrice,” Carter recently told the New York Post. “Most tables will be available on a first-come, first-seated basis. This will be a restaurant for our West Village neighbors and their friends.”
