Paul Bass Photo
Economic Development Administrator Matthew Nemerson, Mayor Toni Harp, and John Mocadlo perform the ceremonial deed.
Light — and cherubs and flowing wine — have returned to a reconstructed former church in the heart of New Haven’s downtown nightlife district after two years of darkness.
Its name is Vanity.
The reconstructed former church at 144 Temple St. — originally the Playwright restaurant, then the Russian Lady, site of memorable social and political bashes — has been reborn as a bar and restaurant and events-rental venue and rechristened Vanity.
The venue had its soft opening and an official ribbon-cutting with the mayor Tuesday afternoon. The formal opening comes Friday night.
A four-man partnership (calling itself The 4 Horsemen Entertainment Inc.) purchased the business, which had been closed for two years, and renovated it. The crew stripped the metal work and covered it with cooper-reactive paint, reupholstered the furniture …
… and added a mirror wall …
… along with a dueling-piano spot up front …
… not to mention a heavenly-being-themed replica of a Giovanni Tiepolo painting on the ceiling.
In addition to the main bar area, the 15,000 square-foot venue includes a 30-seat corporate dining room, a party space that can accommodate 500 people, a second-floor lounge, and a 100-person fine-dining restaurant.
Executive Chef Andrew Fine (previous perch: Mystic Seaport) promised to serve memorable “fusion” dishes there. Asked to name one of his signature dishes, he cited “Hailbut and Avocado Versus the Universe.” It features limoncello poached halibut with soy pineapple and panko-encrusted avocado.
So there.
Among the city officials at the event were two people recently hired to helm the Harp administration’s small-business effort, Deputy Director of Economic Development Cathy Graves and Small Business Officer Gerry Garcia, a former city alder. They’re pictured checking out the new digs with 4 Horseman Persident John Mocadlo (at center in photo).