Openings

‘VIP Tapas’ Move Into Historic Little Italy Rowhouse

Mulberry Street between Grand and Canal is, of course, almost exclusively Eye-talian, but now a tapas joint is coming to 149 Mulberry, a Federal-style rowhouse that, according to landmarks blog the Masterpiece Next Door, at one point was home to New York’s lieutenant governor and one of the country’s wealthiest men, Stephen Van Rensselaer III (more recently it housed a restaurant, Paolucci’s, and now it’s a cheesy souvenir shop). Oh, but Little Secret won’t be any ol’ tapas bar. According to a Craigslist ad, it’ll serve “ultra V.I.P tapas.” (Considering the recent opening of Bar Celona, can we say two’s a trend?) Community board minutes from summer 2008 indicate the small restaurant will contain 27 tables, a seven-seat bar, and a back garden. We’ve contacted the director of taparations to find out who’s behind the endeavor.

‘VIP Tapas’ Move Into Historic Little Italy Rowhouse