As Angie Mar prepares to close the chapter on Les Trois Chevaux, she is reviving one of downtown Manhattan’s most legendary dining names: Beatrice Inn—but in a completely reimagined form.
For years, Les Trois Chevaux stood as a refined fine-dining destination, known for its elegant white tablecloths, dramatic crystal chandeliers, and art-filled interiors featuring works by icons like Pablo Picasso and Banksy. Since opening in 2021, the restaurant evolved from a prix-fixe concept into a celebrated à la carte experience. Recently, however, its windows were covered and its doors shut, leaving only a glowing neon sign reading “Beatrice Inn” as a clue to what was coming next.
The Beatrice Inn carries a rich and rebellious New York history. Over the decades, it became known for its glamorous nightlife, celebrity crowd, and unforgettable atmosphere under owners like Graydon Carter and Paul Sevigny. Mar herself transformed the space into a destination restaurant after taking ownership, before relocating during the pandemic era.
Now, on the restaurant’s 100th anniversary, Mar is bringing the spirit of the Beatrice Inn back through a new concept called “Le B.” Rather than recreating the past exactly, she wanted to reinterpret its essence for today’s diners.
The redesigned restaurant keeps much of the original layout and collaborates with many longtime creative partners. Fashion designer Christian Siriano created the uniforms, while designer Raul Avila handled the floral arrangements. Architect duo Brenda Bello and Joel Medina of BWArchitects transformed the interiors with deep navy walls, velvet banquettes, antique mirrors, and a dramatic 1980s-era crystal chandelier sourced from Brooklyn’s Prospect Hall.
The atmosphere at Le B. is more playful, sensual, and relaxed than its predecessor. Mar describes the menu as “continental cuisine” infused with French technique, personal nostalgia, and influences from her Chinese heritage. Signature dishes include a luxurious onion-herb dip topped with osetra caviar, elegant deviled eggs finished with gold leaf, rabbit stuffed with vegetables and chamomile, and a creative salad that captures roasted chicken flavor without using meat.
Among the standout dishes is Mar’s “sturgeon charlemagne,” inspired by both smoked fish traditions and extravagant layered desserts, featuring smoked sturgeon, crème fraîche, and generous caviar. Another highlight is her flambéed oyster prepared tableside with sherry and sauce mornay—a tribute to the theatrical spirit of the original Beatrice Inn.
Steak remains central to the restaurant’s identity. While the old Beatrice Inn became famous for its extensive steak offerings, Le B. focuses on two carefully crafted options: a classic ribeye with Dijon sauce and fries, and an elevated prime rib served from a trolley with horseradish, wild rice, and au jus.
Longtime fans will also appreciate the return of the Beatrice Inn’s famous 45-day dry-aged burger. Available only at the bar for walk-ins, with one order allowed per guest each night, it’s designed to feel exclusive and nostalgic.
With caviar-infused vodka cocktails, ’80s music, and a balance of elegance and downtown energy, Le B. sits somewhere between the sophistication of Les Trois Chevaux and the rebellious charm of the original Beatrice Inn. For Mar, that balance is intentional—a modern revival that honors the past while embracing a different era of dining culture.
And while she admits the city has changed dramatically since the Beatrice Inn’s heyday, Mar hasn’t ruled out a full return someday. If the perfect space appeared, she says, she would absolutely consider bringing the legendary institution back once again.
Source: Vogue.com
