Local franchise, Point Brugge set to open third location in City of Asylum’s Alphabet City.

By: Neil Strebig

*Editor’s note:  Brugge on North @ Alphabet City will be opening Wednesday, April 18. This article was written before an official opening date was announced.

Jesse Seager, who owns and operates Point Brugge Café in Point Breeze and Park Bruges in Highland Park will be launching a new venture, Brugge on North @ Alphabet City within the next few months.

The official announcement was made public last night via City of Asylum’s Facebook page. Seager and his team will be filling the vacant restaurant space in Alphabet City left by Casellula which closed in December 2017.

According to Seager, City of Asylum co-founders Henry Reese and Diane Samuels approached him about the available space.

“When we evaluated the past year and lessons learned, we decided that our most important need was for a restaurant that was committed to our mission. We needed more than a good restaurant. We also needed a restaurant that could seamlessly be part of our readings, films, and jazz,” said Reese in an e-mail. “The restaurant had to know what it means to be part of a community as diverse as the Northside and have an interesting menu with broad appeal and a variety of price points. When we put all these requirements down on paper, the first restaurant we thought of was Brugge.”

While Seager wasn’t necessarily looking to open up another space he admits once he visited the space and explored the nearby Mexican War Streets with his wife Amy, he admitted they were smitten.

“We weren’t looking to open another restaurant and were approached by Henry and Diane,” said Seager. “Once we went over there we loved it … we were amazed at how beautiful the space is.”

Seager explained that the ability to host private events and share a space that promotes jazz, poetry and various cultural events was intriguing to him. The new set of options offers his team a set of challenges with a “lot of benefits” in addition to a restaurant and kitchen space that is already “ready to roll.”

“It’s something very attractive and different than the other two spaces,” said Seager.“ We dig their mission and like being part of something bigger than just food and beverage.”

For menu options, guests should expect the traditional Belgian flair and French staples of Seager’s previous two locations with some new signature additions that will help make Brugge on North stand apart. Point Brugge executive chef Susan Conroy, will be reprising the same role at the Northside location. The beverage program will feature more beer and fewer wine options in comparison to their predecessor, Casellula according to Seager.

“We’re a neighborhood place first,” said Seager.

Brugge on North will be opening on Wednesday, April 18 at 40 W. North Avenue. Hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition a weekend brunch will be served at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

This article was updated on February 22, 2018 at 4:20 p.m. with the addition of Henry Reese’s statement.

This article was last updated on April 11, 2018 at 12:53 p.m. to reflect the new hours of operation and April 18 opening date.