Miller’s Near & Far, the New American restaurant at 65 Rivington St., is temporarily closed for a revamp. Owner Chris Miller, a resident of lower Essex Street, decided to make some tweaks in both the decor and the menu of the neighborhood spot. We stopped by the other day to check on his progress and to find out what changes are in store.
Miller’s Near & Far opened quietly in the summer of 2013. The seasonal menu, open kitchen and futuristic design (reminiscent of Blade Runner) won over its share of locals and also attracted a contingent from restaurants in Tribeca co-owned by Miller (Smith & Mill’s, Warren 77, The Bar Upstairs). But after more than a year on the Lower East Side, Miller said, it was clear some adjustments were in order.
An interior renovation is now underway. They’re doing away with the open kitchen, creating more comfortable seating, giving the place a homier feel and adding some new signage (see above).
Month after month, Miller explained, customers clamored for the restaurant’s burger (made with two Pat LaFrieda patties), so that will be a signature item on the new menu. There will be riffs on other popular items; they’re experimenting with an uni mac and cheese dish. Overall, there will be more affordable options and crowd-pleasers, but the kitchen will continue to focus on seasonal ingredients. They’ll also be bringing back “Reggae & Jerk Chicken Night,” a popular weekly event.
Miller is hoping to reopen the restaurant in early March.
