‘La Gamelle’ on the Bowery Hasn’t Been Open of Late
La Gamelle hasn’t been open lately. Not for at least a week. It appears as though the restaurant at 241 Bowery is closed for the duration.
The Google search alert says La Gamelle is “permanently closed,” and we’ve yet to receive a response to calls or messages. Open Table’s reservation system, however, deems the hiatus as temporary.
More drama.
You’ll recall that founding chef Mathieu Palombino departed the restaurant in January 2016, nine months after it opened. Then last month, ownership applied to Community Board 3 to officially transfer his 50% stake in La Gamelle to partner Dimitri Vlahakis (Esperanto, Summit Bar). The measure was approved by the board. Documents submitted indicate that the name will live on.
Needless to say, it’s unclear at the moment whether La Gamelle will actually return.
La Gamelle debuted in May 2015 as the French-leaning descendant of Palombino’s Bowery Diner. (Let’s not forget the Chez Jef pop-up.) The Bowery bistro netted negative reviews out of the gate.