Claudine Changes to French Wine Bar Concept; See the New Menus

Claudine, which is getting a new menu and concept. [Photo: Eva Frye]

A few months into their new collaboration at Gitane, the husband-and-wife team of Bridget Batson and Patrick Kelly have also decided to make some changes at neighboring sister restaurant Claudine, where they'll be taking over for chef de cuisine Caleb Jones. Whereas Claudine's menu under Jones was more eclectic, the new concept is intended to be something of a little sister to the group's third restaurant, Cafe Claude, with an all-day French menu and a stronger wine-bar component, as well as a more extensive happy hour program. Though its menu will remain seasonal and locally-driven, the new Claudine will offer more traditionally French fare, with options like housemade charcuterie and pates, salt cod brandade, moules marinieres, and Parisian gnocchi with sage brown butter. (A few standards will remain, like the beloved-by-Bauer meatball, kale, and fregola soup.) They'll also be offering a new 30-minute "menu complet" for busy lunchtime workers, which will include an appetizer, entree, drink, and to-go dessert.

On the vino side of things, wine director Sarah Knoefler will be introducing a redesigned program with more of a balance between old- and new-world wines, as opposed to the previous program, which was more California-driven. Part of the changes will include a new happy hour from 4-6 pm on weekdays, with nine $1/ounce tap options like a California Gruner Veltliner and a Blaufrankisch from Washington. The bar will also offer charcuterie, pate, and cheese plates ($18-20) to pair with the vino. Knoefler eventually hopes to offer every wine in the restaurant by the glass.

For your perusal, here's the new lunch and dinner menu, the new wine list, and the happy hour menu.

· Gitane to Unveil Slew of New Menus [~ ESF ~]
· One Year In: Bridget Batson and Caleb Jones of Claudine [~ ESF ~]
· All Claudine coverage [~ ESF ~]