Au Revoir to Florent

Before Manhattan's Meatpacking District was tres chic, there was Florent.

Back before the high-end boutiques, the $8000 a month loft apartments... back when they actually had meatpacking businesses in the then-dodgy neighborhood, Florent flourished. Hangout to club-kids, gallery owners, pop stars, and ladies of questionable gender - Florent was that special little bit of New York that anyone and everyone felt they could claim as their own. 24/7.

But skyrocketing rents in the beyond-gentrified neighborhood have caused Florent to close its doors, as of June 29 this year.

The French bistro/diner opened in 1985, with an aim to serve "solid French bistro fare at non-exclusive prices in a low-key, congenial, 'downtown' New York atmosphere." With the new rent rumored to have hit the $30K mark, its no wonder that owner Florent Morellet would have a tough time keeping this promise.

If you've never experienced Florent, or simply want to wish it a fond adieu, stop by 69 Gansevoort before the end of June. You'll know Florent by the "R & L Restaurant" signage of the Greek diner that formerly called this space home. Part of the charm of Florent was the fact that Florent himself did little to update the space...let's see what the next owner has in store.

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