Progress Report: Louie & Chan at 303 Broome Street

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Team Grotto conceived the idea of Louie & Chan three years ago, choosing the two adjacent storefronts at 303-305 Broome Street for their dream. However, the ambitious nightclub has yet to bear fruit, plagued by an on-again-off-again buildout schedule. Onsite progress since super-secret groundbreak in spring 2011 has therefore been painfully slow. Only recently were we able to gauge how far along the project is.

Contractors tend to bestow the gift of transparency during the daytime hours. On a walkby last week, we noticed that the bar and seating components are starting to taking shape. The exterior of both storefronts have also undergone complete transformation. 305 Broome now sports some fancy archways.

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As we first reported in August 2011, Louie & Chan is a concept nightclub rooted in a wacky fictional history that tells the story of two unlikely business partners in the 1920s. This urban fairy tale is utilized to sell “modestly-priced” south Italian fare in an atmosphere that captures the “true spirit of the Lower East Side around the turn of the century.”

Ownership later listed itself as applicant for an appearance at the SLA subcommittee meeting to secure on-premise rights. The February application was later withdrawn, and did not subsequently appear. Listed below are some of the main components of the concept:

• The restaurant proper: capacity of 65.  Menu items will reportedly include wood-burning oven pizza, salads, pastas, and meats.
• Downstairs lounge: capacity of 35.  Cocktails, an open fireplace, and an “Asian opium den inspired environment.”
• Music room/club: capacity of 125.  Resident DJs Wiseacre and Nickodemus.
• Private dining room: capacity of 20.  For private parties wanting a communal, living room setting.

We hear word that the establishment should open sometime next month.

305 Broome Street was formerly occupied by LES Sandwich Shop as evidenced by the canopy that still holds residence. That short-lived grub spot opened in late 2008 by an ex-employee of the old LES Sandwicherie (also deceased). It closed a few months afterward.