First Look at ‘The John Lamb’ Nightspot at Orchard Street’s Sago Hotel

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And here you thought it would never happen.

The John Lamb is opening soon at the relatively new Sago Hotel on Orchard Street. It’s been a long time coming for principal Joseph Valentine, who’s been threatening this farm-to-table restaurant concept for nearly two years already.

Teaser signage was posted in the windows of 119 Orchard last week.

The John Lamb has been pretty controversial ever since Valentine partnered with hotel owner-developer Shimon Avdi instead of 119 Essex Street. Not so much over the basement dining room, rather the roof terrace component of the restaurant, which sits approximately four to ten feet from residential windows of the adjacent 124 Allen Street. Thirteen residents, alongside the LES Dwellers, fought the application seemingly every step of the way. Despite Avdi’s penchant for being a no-show at eight CB3 meetings since June 2015.

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In the end, the John Lamb obtained its approval back in March [PDF], albeit with a strict set of stipulations (that probably won’t be followed anyway).

Most importantly for nearby residents is the agreement that there be absolutely no liquor service on the thirty-seat, sixth-floor terrace. Moreover, the outdoor area will have no music and close at 6pm daily. The downstairs restaurant is open until midnight during the week, and 2am Thursday through Saturday.

And, in general, the entrance to the John Lamb will be through the hotel’s front door on Allen Street.