Bidding for Broadway takes place on Sunday. We visited Café en de Trois, a well-loved French spot in Midtown that’s been around for 48 years.
This marks a heartbreaking moment for local residents. The venue, launched by Gerald Brains, Georges Genancia, and Michael Morse in the spring of 1977, has long been one of the few Midtown restaurants closely connected to the theater scene.
While places like Sardi’s, Joe Allen, and Orso remain staples on West 46th Street, some have come and gone. Yet, none have managed to lose their unique charm or storied past.
“We had De Niro, Pacino, Robin Williams here,” Brand casually mentioned Friday night, gesturing toward a bustling table.
“Meryl Streep! I adored her. She visited quite often.”
A multitude of celebrities have frequented here, right up to its closure this weekend.
Just the day before, comedian Lewis Black dined there.
Sarah Jessica Parker was a familiar face, often stopping by especially during the 2022 run of her hit play “Plaza Suite” next door, where she entertained for hours with husband Matthew Broderick. This week, she made sure to reserve a table for one last meal at her beloved café.
“Scarlett Johansson was the very first celebrity to walk in when we reopened post-pandemic,” said a grateful José Enrique Lozada, the cheerful manager who has been part of the place for 36 years.
Meanwhile, manager Pablo Manso reminisced about Robert Downey Jr.’s visit in 2024, recalling how the actor embraced him on his return after years apart.
Even former President Jimmy Carter enjoyed the restaurant, joining in a festive tradition called the “12 Days of Christmas,” where everyone in the room would sing together. He and his wife, Rosalynn, often chose table 18.
Other frequent patrons included Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon, Marcia Mason, Jonathan Groff, Christine Baranski, Harvey Fierstein, and Alan Cumming.
Brands stands out among restaurateurs for his warm personality. One moment he was sharing a drink, then unexpectedly he bought dessert for a family with small children.
He then quickly turned back to talk about how Café en de Trois was founded in what used to be the Hotel Gerard.
In the late ’70s, they began operations in what was once a “welfare hotel” built in 1893.
Times Square during the disco age was, let’s just say, less glamorous. Just two years earlier, the theater next door had been a place showing adult films. Un Deux Trois opened shortly after the famous nightclub Studio 54, attracting a similar crowd.
“David Bowie was a friend, Basquiat too,” Brains reminisced. “They were regulars.”
The venue’s rich artistic heritage resonates throughout, with many architectural features dating back before Broadway itself.
“There was always a lively spirit here,” recalled former Post columnist Michael Riedel. “It felt distinctly New York, but also very Parisian. It was like waiting for Louis Jourdan and Maurice Chevalier to arrive.”
From its inception, the café’s atmosphere felt timeless.
“We need to come up with a plan,” Brands reflected. “This building is 140 years old. I feel like I’m 140 years old. It’s an institution.”
But why did they ultimately decide to close?
Café en de Trois is shutting down for a painfully familiar reason in the current Times Square climate.
“Costs are soaring,” Brains explained. “The rent is sky-high.”
Staff noted that, since the pandemic, the bustling lunch crowd has nearly vanished.
So, it’s time to say bonsoir.
This farewell is particularly emotional for the theater community and for Broadway writers. Un Deux Trois was my go-to spot after reviewing nearby shows. For years, critic Chris Jones and I would sit down and debate over frites.
“I never went elsewhere; there was no need,” Chris shared. “It’s not just showbiz—it’s a gentler environment. I’m really heartbroken.”
Sure, it’s tough. But Brains is, I think, proud of the special place he’s co-created and the legacy it represents.
“Thank God for America!” he exclaimed. “You can write that down.”
