Café Un Deux Trois

Café Un Deux Trois, tucked at 123 West 44th Street in Manhattan’s Theater District, has been a cherished staple of New York’s culinary and cultural landscape since it first opened its doors in 1977. A beacon for artists, playwrights, and theater professionals, it’s as much a gathering spot for creatives as it is a beloved restaurant. Its brasserie-style French cuisine—celebrated for its authenticity and quality—has earned the café a reputation as one of the city's finest dining destinations.

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The restaurant was founded by two French entrepreneurs, Gerard Blanes and Georges Guenancia, who were joined in their venture by American partner Michael Moorse, who sadly passed away in 2021. Together, the trio created a place that would become a true fixture in the heart of New York’s theater scene.

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Gerard Blanes and Georges Guenancia’s story began on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza in the early 1970s. Both men, born in France, reconnected in mid-1970s with a desire to bring their shared passion for food and hospitality to the bright lights of Manhattan.

 

Their vision led to the creation of Café Un Deux Trois, and the partnership has endured for more than four decades. Reflecting on their decades of success, Guenancia quips, “We’ve been here forty-seven years. We must be doing something right.”

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Before arriving in New York, Blanes’s success in France had already laid the groundwork for his venture in Manhattan. The French culinary scene had allowed him to hone his skills, and the restaurant's continued success in New York is a testament to his talent and drive.

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Café Un Deux Trois’s reputation in the 1970s and 1980s was that of a glamorous hotspot, frequented by celebrities like Al Pacino, Bette Midler, and Meryl Streep. It became the food counterpart to the legendary Studio 54, which opened just blocks away at the same time. While the heyday of disco and celebrity-packed dinners has long passed, Café Un Deux Trois remains a constant, a quiet, enduring symbol of New York's artistic soul.

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The space itself tells a story. When Blanes and Guenancia took over the restaurant, they uncovered hidden treasures—a set of painted-glass murals behind the bar that had been covered by plywood for decades. Lanny Powers, a regular and design historian, explained that the interior was the work of renowned designer Pierre Hitier, who cleverly embraced the imperfections of the building in his design. Rather than a pristine renovation, Hitier’s vision created what Powers described as a "glamorous ruin," with elements like torn wallpaper, broken walls, and a painted ceiling with clouds, giving the space a unique, faded beauty. The design became a hallmark of Café Un Deux Trois, and though it was later renovated, the spirit of Hitier's original design still lingers in the café’s current iteration.

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The Blanes-Guenancia legacy has continued to flourish. Blanes’s daughter, Laurence, has carved her own niche in New York’s hospitality world with the popular BXL bars in the city, while Guenancia’s son, Charles, has carried on the family tradition in the industry. Charles’s latest endeavor, Cubby’s, a beloved burger joint in Hell's Kitchen, keeps the family’s culinary presence alive and well.

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Café Un Deux Trois endures as a place of creative convergence, where exceptional food meets New York’s vibrant artistic energy. The blend of French cuisine, impeccable service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere makes it a cherished institution. Blanes and Guenancia’s commitment to excellence has ensured that the café not only remains a beloved part of the city’s landscape, but also a timeless haven for those who seek connection, culture, and great conversation—making it, truly, a cornerstone of New York's theater district.