Today’s news is especially relevant if you happen to be a cat that also hates Mondays…
Lasagna Ristorante is an iconic Italian restaurant that has been serving locals since 1993. The restaurant was established by Chef Adam Honig, a veteran restaurateur with a passion for Italian cuisine who dedicated himself to perfecting traditional lasagna recipes while also crafting brand-new takes on the classic dish. Offering over 17 different types of baked-to-order lasagnas (with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options), Lasagna Ristorante has been serving the community for nearly three decades and has become especially popular for its bottomless brunch option on weekends.
Now though, it appears some serious changes are coming to the storied restaurant this year. According to a new liquor license application submitted with community board 4, Honig will be partnering with Emir Mrkulic to reopen Lasagna Ristorante as Siena Cafe. Established in 2017 by Mrkuluic and partner Russ Sujak, Siena Cafe opened up at 1580 Third Avenue in an endeavor to share their family recipes with the hungry residents of New York.
According to their application, once the space has been renovated the new Siena Cafe will seat an estimated 64 guests. The new outpost is expected to serve the same authentic Italian cuisine that fans have come to crave. Guests can expect to enjoy a wide variety of starters, salads, and cheese – with a special emphasis on pasta. Offering everything from gnocchi pesto and lobster ravioli to cacio e pepe and (of course) lasagna, Siena will also serve up mouthwatering entree dishes like shrimp scampi, grilled salmon, chicken Milanese, lamb chops, and so much more.
Additionally, Siena’s Chelsea expansion is expected to offer a robust beverage program, and Adam and Emir are now getting ready to apply for a full liquor license for the space. They are proposing operating hours of 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM every day, seven days a week. Lasagna Ristorante operated successfully for decades with a full liquor license without complaint from neighbors, so it is unlikely that the community will oppose their license. At the moment, Lasagna Ristorante is still open for business, so be sure to visit while you can. Additionally, you can follow Siena Cafe on Instagram for updates on all of the team’s latest projects.
