Queer Eye food maverick Antoni Porowski has moved on from shaking up (mostly) straight people’s kitchens to a whole city’s by rebooting beloved West Village diner Village Den.
Antoni, famous for being the food and drink specialist on hit Netflix show Queer Eye, is taking over the brand after it shut in May 2018, according to Eater.
While the Greenwich Avenue diner was much loved during its 36-year stay in the neighborhood, the Fab Five member is teaming up with Eric Marx and Lisle Richards to deliver a makeover worthy of the show. The restaurant will launch as a fast-casual dining concept, focusing on a ‘wholesome yet fulfilling lifestyle.’
A market-driven menu
This means turning the spot from diner to counter-service hotspot, hoping to draw an arty crowd. It will also boast a ‘market-driven menu’ that will change in response to demand.
Well, we hope you like avocados.
Before finding success on the Emmy Award-winning show, the heartthrob had experience in the hospitality industry working as a waiter, busboy, and sommelier.
This, however, will be his first restaurant venture. It’s due to open in September.
But while his restaurant venture will be found in New York City – the location of the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy series – his rebooted show is moving state.
After two seasons of tear-jerking full-life makeovers in Georgia, the fab five are now heading to Missouri.
Queer Eye was recently awarded four Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Structured Reality Program and Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program.
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