Shinan Govani broke the news that the team from The Harbord Room is tightening its grip on Harbord Street with the acquisition of Messis, the long-standing (and much bigger) continental restaurant a few doors down. Harbord Room chef Cory Vitiello told The Dish that he takes possession March 1, and hopes to reopen with a new name and concept six weeks later, following a thorough renovation. The kitchen is going to be headed by Harbord Room chef de cuisine Curt Martin (Vitiello is mostly staying put) with a menu similar in style to the Harbord Room’s, if a little more accessible in price. After renovations are complete, the new, as-yet unnamed restaurant is going to have a lively back bar and a huge 60-seat patio. It’s not, however, going to have The Harbord Room’s trademark pink walls (those are staying put).
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