Brookline's cocktail scene just gained a touch of French flair with the opening of Bar Lunette in Coolidge Corner, replacing the former Coolidge Corner Opticians space at 278A Harvard Street. Operated by the team behind the neighboring Paris Creperie, this new French bar specializes in spirits from across the Atlantic. Eater Boston reports that the vision for the bar was a longstanding dream shared between Nick Mallia, operating partner of both the creperie and Bar Lunette, and the late Brother Cleve, a renowned figure in Boston's bartending scene.
"Cleve's dream was to have a real French bar because he loved French spirits above all else," Mallia told Eater Boston, "There was never really any kind of a ceremony for his passing or anything like that so this is sort of my living memorial to what he would have wanted to do." The bar revives beloved beverages from the now-closed Seaport location of the Paris Creperie, where a full liquor license had previously eluded them, now upgraded from cordial mixes to hard liquor inclusions to honors Cleve's memory and passion.
With a nod to French flavors and their global influences, the drink menu at Bar Lunette runs the gamut from classic cocktails and spritzes to a well-rounded French wine list, with whimsical inclusions like the Guillo-tini and the smoky Paris is Burning margarita, as reported by Eater Boston. The bar's food offerings complement the drink selection, with French onion soup, deviled eggs, omelets, and sandwiches featured prominently alongside a favorite snack, tater tots with melted cheese cook during slow hours diners might even order a crepe snuck in from next door. Mallia envisions expanding Bar Lunette's community role with plans for weekend and industry brunches on Mondays.
The ambience of Bar Lunette tips its hat to the previous tenant, with optician-reminiscent décor elements retained and enhanced, including a distinctive art piece of black glasses above the bar and the original "prescriptions filled" signage. Additionally, a personal tribute to Brother Cleve is taking shape in the form of a photo collage, with Mallia sourcing pictures from industry colleagues throughout Boston, as featured by Eater Boston. The opening of Bar Lunette is a welcomed addition to Coolidge Corner's dining landscape, as standalone bars in the area are few, contrasting with the likes of Barlette that offers a more reservation-heavy experience; Mallia hopes this bar will serve as a neighborhood epicenter seeing friends gather before films at the Coolidge Corner Theater or after perusing the Brookline Booksmith.
For complete details on Bar Lunette's offerings, including its address and contact information, readers can refer to the bar’s official website mentioned in Boston Restaurant Talk. Embracing nearly two decades of experience in the Brookline community, Mallia is set to usher in a new chapter with Bar Lunette, creating a space where connections can flourish over a shared appreciation of cocktails and crepes alike.
