An exciting Manhattan restaurateur is currently getting ready to launch a brand new concept on the Lower East Side.
Aisa Shelley is well known in New York as one of the principal founders of Mr. Fong’s and Primo’s. Dubbed “Chinatown’s unlikely ‘It’ bar,” by the New York Times in 2015, Mr. Fong’s debuted to critical acclaim and quickly became a favorite hang out among the fashionable crowds of the neighborhood. Primo’s, meanwhile, is an unforgettable Art Deco bar and lounge located in Tribeca’s popular Frederick Hotel. Most recently, Aisa launched Oliver Coffee on Oliver Street, and now he’s getting ready to open up another cafe later this year.
Aisa’s newest concept, which has yet to be officially revealed, is currently scheduled to open up at 61 Hester Street. The concept is described by Shelley as an “All day cafe serving pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, and raw bar options,” and will be replacing L’Estudio, a private catering and event space that served upscale Mediterranean cuisine before shutting down in 2020. While their Hester Street brick and mortar may have closed though, L’estudio still offers private dining and catering experiences which can be ordered online on their website.
Located between Ludlow and Essex Street, the space is less than a block away from Seward Park and the East Broadway subway station. The space is estimated to be able to seat about 44 guests at one time, and at the moment there no plans to establish an additional outdoor space.
Beyond their coffee and food options, Shelley’s new cafe intends to serve beer and wine and as well and is currently meeting with the community board to acquire the necessary license. Shelley is proposing operating hours of 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM every day, seven days a week for his new cafe. While he is still too early into development to share further details at this time, you can follow Shelley on Instagram for updates on all of his latest projects.
