Shuttered West Village Favorite Barbuto To Reopen In New Space

WEST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN — A beloved Village eatery that closed last year after 15 years in the neighborhood will be revived later this month, according to reports.

Barbuto, which became a staple at 775 Washington St., will reopen on Feb. 25 in a location just steps away from its old outpost, chef Jonathan Waxman told the New York Times.

The restaurant had closed last May after its lease ran out and the owners of the former garage space no longer wanted to rent to him.

The new Barbuto will be nearly identical — though bigger — than the old neighborhood favorite, Waxman told the Times.

“There’s no point in making big changes now,” he said. “I’ve been at this since 1972.”

The chef said he "couldn't be happier" to bring back the eatery, which is named after the Italian word for beard.

All but one of the old employees will also return to the new space, which is "300 steps" away from the former Washington Street spot.

The new space will include a longer bar, the same 74 seats and an open kitchen, the Times reported. It will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of West Street and the Hudson River and an outdoor terrace.

Reopening the eatery had been Waxman's hope since it closed last year. He said then that he hoped to find a new spot for the restaurant within the year.