""The West Village is a really challenging landscape, obviously, so we were like, 'Okay, what we don't want to do is open a derivative of Via Carota - it has to be something that doesn't exist here.'""
""I think the blessing of us constantly being willing to pivot is that we can approach this opening with some curiosity. We're very aware of the West Village girly thing and that this could be super scene-y, but it's like our neighbors have lived here forever and they're constantly stopping by and asking what's happening.""
""Working in restaurants during COVID was really intense, really scary, and it felt like both of us kind of had the duty of care, of keeping these teams motivated and safe and all that.""
""Halley said, 'What if we started our own restaurant?' And I was like, 'You crazy bitch. That'll never happen.' And then literally two weeks later she's like, 'I quit my job. Let's do it.'""
Halley Chambers and Kip Gleize opened Cleo in Manhattan's West Village, aiming to create a unique dining experience distinct from existing restaurants. They sought to appeal to both longtime locals and newer residents, acknowledging the challenges of the area. Their partnership began during the pandemic, leading to a spontaneous decision to start their own restaurant after a trip to Paris. The duo's previous experience in Brooklyn's Margot and Montague Diner informs their approach to this new venture, emphasizing adaptability and community engagement.
Read at Grub Street
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