de Soultrait and Bichoupan of Bertwood lease 1,100 s/f

Shown (from left) are: de Soultrait, Olmedo and Bichoupan.

Manhattan, NY According to Bertwood Realty , they signed a 1,100 s/f, 10--year lease for the French Bistro, Le Troquet, a new restaurant wine bar concept at 161 Lafayette in SoHo.

Bertrand de Soultrait, president of Bertwood Realty, and the broker who represented both the tenant and the landlord, said, “This is a great SoHo corner near the Nomo Sumo Hotel (formerly the Mondrian) and La Esquina, a very popular area lunch spot. The owners are very excited about getting open and have big plans for Le Troquet, including wine events with winemakers from around the world.”

Childhood friends, Thomas Olmedo, Clément Méry and a silent partner came together to create an authentic French wine bar in SoHo. Their first venture as a team, Antonin has lived in New York the past six years as a wine importer and was partners in a bistro in France. Thomas started a transportation company in France. Clement has been in Asia, a senior executive in the hospitality industry. Le Troquet is designed for both food and wine aficionados, set in an authentic and comfortable environment. The space is currently occupied by Parigot, another French restaurant, that had a successful ten--year run. Those owners are retiring, which created an opportunity for Troquet.

“We approached the owners of Parigot,” said Abe Bichoupan, the other Bertwood Realty broker that worked on the deal. “Not knowing they were thinking about retiring, but recognizing that they had had a great run in the neighborhood, but perhaps it was time for something fresh and new there. Our supposition was correct and we were able to negotiate a deal in less than thirty days that worked for all parties.”

The tenant will take possession in April and will open in early summer. Bertwood represented both the tenant and the landlord, 161 Lafayette Realty, LLC.