Varick Street just lost Village Lobster and Crabhouse in the “cursed space” that most recently held Steak Frites and Lucy Browne’s, but across the street at 64 Downing (the long-vacant space that held Junno’s till it closed back in 2006) the owners of a shuttered Park Slope restaurant, Maria’s Mexican Bistro, are making a comeback.
Eduardo Nacipucha tells us that his wife Maria and their partner Carlos Elias have retained their chef from Maria’s, Alfredo Luna, and together they’re opening La Camelia. You’ll find some old favorites from their previous joint: The table-side guacamole; the duck breast with black mole; the Angus steak, grilled chicken, and filet mignon on lava rocks; and of course the many tequilas (over 200 here). But there’ll also be a wider array of ceviches, plus new dishes like a lamb shank in red-wine reduction with Mexican spice. La Camelia will open for dinner service on Thursday, and within a week hours will expand from noon till midnight, with brunch starting at 10 a.m. on the weekends. We’ll have the menu for you in the next day or so.
La Camelia, 64 Downing St., nr. Varick St.; 212-675-7060
