Update: Louie & Chan at 303 Broome Street

Operations on the development front over at 303 Broome Street have been super hush-hush for the better part of the last year. It was roughly eight months ago that we first broke news of a new bar-restaurant concept vying for the dual storefront, which once housed the humble LES Sandwicherie. That of Louie & Chan. Since then, however, all outlets seem to be under a gag order.

Here’s what we do know about Louie & Chan. First and foremost, it’s the sister restaurant of nearby Grotto on Forsyth. The concept is an ambitious plan that banks on exploiting a wacky fictional history to sell “modestly-priced” south Italian fare in an atmosphere that captures the “true spirit of the Lower East Side around the turn of the century.”

Based on the surprisingly transparent investor brochure, there are four main components:

• The restaurant proper: capacity of 65. Menu items will reportedly include wood-burning oven pizza, salads, pastas, and meats.
• Downstairs lounge: capacity of 35. Cocktails, an open fireplace, and an “Asian opium den inspired environment.”
• Music room/club: capacity of 125. Resident DJs Wiseacre and Nickodemus.
• Private dining room: capacity of 20. For private parties wanting a communal, living room setting.

Now ownership is finally ready to appear before Community Board 3 to secure a full on-premise liquor license. It’ll go before the SLA committee with the rest of ‘em on February 13.