New York - October 25, 2000

Chinghalle Opens

Chinghalle Restaurant

Now here’s an innovative concept.

A new restaurant in the meatpacking district.

Yes, Mark Strausman (of Campagna fame) has jumped on the bandwagon. Tonight Chinghalle is having its soft opening. (Reservations are being accepted as of tomorrow.) Named (albeit misspelled) for the Italian word for wild boar, the 100-seat restaurant will be styled like a supper club, with two floors, and a bar on the first.

But before you run down and smack the self-righteous maitre d’ at Pastis, you might want to be able to back up why you’re switching camps. Don’t expect steak frites or any of the croque monsieur brasserie fare. The cuisine is part Campagna, part American, with a hint of French here and there (white-truffle potato knish, or local pan-fried filet of sole)?all with a hearty amount of cinghiale all around.

Get ready for a Cafe Flore-Les Deux Magots style duel of the brasseries to be under way any minute.