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NYC Institution Bidding Final Bon Appetits

Night owls, celebs, hookers mourn the closure of Florent

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2008 3:27 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Few places encapsulate New York's transformation from crime-ridden metropolis to Sex and the City-fied playground than Florent, a French restaurant housed in an old diner in the meatpacking district. A 24-hour hangout for slumming A-listers and transvestite prostitutes, Florent is closing after 23 years in the face of a 2,000% rent hike. The Times interviews a dozen regulars on the end of an era.

"It was kind of like the halfway house of restaurants," says comedian Jackie Hoffman—a mixing chamber where celebrities sat alongside club kids, tourists and even Howard Dean. Owner Florent Morellet became an advocate for the neighborhood as well as a vocal AIDS activist. Its many regulars are saddened but resigned to Florent's closure—but not before a five-week blowout farewell.

Florent, a New York institution, is closing its doors after 23 years.
Florent, a New York institution, is closing its doors after 23 years.   (Courtesy Florent)
Florent, a New York institution, is closing its doors after 23 years.
Florent, a New York institution, is closing its doors after 23 years.   (Courtesy Florent)
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Florent's website
Restaurant Florent

Times' restaurant critic on Florent's closure
New York Times

 
New York • restaurant • meatpacking district • Florent • gentrification

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