More Details on Restaurant Beatrix, the Latest Lettuce Entertain You Project

Progress is moving along swiftly at Restaurant Beatrix and conceptual details are in place. Beatrix, the newest Lettuce Entertain You venture in the lobby of the upcoming Aloft Hotel, will be a "neighborhood restaurant, coffee house, and hangout," according to LEYE executive partner Marc Jacobs. Residents, office professionals, and hotel guests can expect the opening before the month is over. The hotel is slated to open June 20.

LEYE is giving the concept a maternal theme. "There's a womanly sensibility (at Beatrix)," Jacobs says. The name Beatrix has a dual meaning, referring to the latin meaning of "voyager or traveller" (for the hotel) and Rich and Martha Melman both called their mothers "Bea."

Beatrix will serve all three meals in a "focused, small menu" and stay open until midnight. Offerings will focus on a variety of baked goods like homemade graham cracker, homemade English muffins (rye multigrain, dark chocolate and cherry), and butterscotch sticky buns.

Breakfast fare will include a hot breakfast; oatmeal, yogurt and fruit; and a juice bar. To-go items, such as salads and sandwiches, will also be available. Lettuce chefs Susan Weaver, John Chiakulas and Rita Dever are collaborating on the culinary side.

The interior will feature two bars: a main coffee, wine and cocktail bar with the attached bakery and a second smaller wine bar. Two coffee roasters, Intelligentsia and Metropolis, will provide the caffeine.

Jacobs describes the interior as "warm, inviting, comfortable, open and airy." Designers are dispersing roughly 165-180 seats into lounge chairs, tables, and bar seats. Jacobs is staffing the place now, look for it to open within four weeks.
· Restaurant Beatrix [Official Site]
· All Lettuce Entertain You Coverage [~ECHI~]