Charlie Scene
The Waverly's New Neighbor

In the spirit of the day, there's something secretly brewing in the Village.

You may have heard about a promising new nightspot on West Fourth, with paper-shrouded windows and a hidden dinner crowd within.

That would be The Charles—and we hereby bring you official notice that it's open for business, commencing with supper tonight (because we know you've got a discriminating palate, we're also bringing you the first look at the menu).

Small but sexy, with just sixty-two seats, the Charles makes up in glitz what it lacks in square footage. With intricate tin ceilings and hundreds of bare bulbs lining the heavily mirrored dining space, it's like Hollywood dressing room meets Art Deco-era fine-dining haunt (a look we know you've been trying to perfect for years)—and fittingly enough, there's a private, set-off back alcove where you and your starlet of the moment can share a truffle-honey panna cotta...without the paparazzi flashes catching you in the act.

The address next door to the Waverly Inn isn't just a coincidence: The well-equipped menu got some guidance from Waverly's John DeLucie, so you'll have plenty to choose from. Opt for the Grilled Lamb Rack with caponata and pomegranate, the Grilled Herb-Stuffed Whole Branzino or the $20 Charles Burger with gruyere, hand-cut frites and the potential to knock the Waverly's down a few notches on your burger roster.

Or just pop back to the smartly sequestered bar, with room for only you and five friends to be personally sommeliered by the owner of robo wine bar Clo while you catch the scene from just far enough away.

You might even get a peek at Graydon…if he's feeling neighborly.