La Ventura, the first restaurant concept from Ryan Burke and Kenneth McCoy of The Public House Collective, opened on Hudson Street yesterday. The all-day cafe and restaurant will be helmed by chef Peter Lipson and will channel coastal culture in its food, beverage and vibe.
 
“By ‘coastal’, we’re talking about more than the cuisine,” says Burke, President of Public House Collective. “We mean the restaurant’s entire spirit. We want to capture how people live, breathe and eat when they’re by the water.” Lipson’s globally influenced fare and McCoy’s spritely beverage program, aim to create a neighborhood-centric spot that will offer a hangout for every type of visitor, at any time of day.
 
“Local coffee shops aren’t as popular of hangouts as they once were, but people still want a place where they can go during the day with a relaxed vibe and a variety of good food and drinks,”says McCoy, Public House Collective’s Chief Creative Officer. “That’s the main idea of the whole place, you might have breakfast, lunch or dinner – or stop by for more than one on the same day.”
 
Chef Peter Lipson’s menu is meant to be a ‘choose your own adventure’ type of experience, taking inspiration from the laid-back style of eating that he became accustomed to while working in San Sebastian, Spain. Diners looking for a minimal commitment can grab a coffee and a snack for half an hour, while groups can eat their way through the seasonal options one dish at a time during a relaxed dinner.
 
Lipson’s “All Day” options provide the backbone of La Ventura’s menu, staying firmly planted on the menu as lunch and dinner selections rotate throughout the day.
 
The rotating lunch and dinner selections keep things light, melding influences from coastal communities around the world with a Southern-Californian focus on the quality of ingredients. 
 
Though lunch is available from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner 5 p.m. to close – the entire selection will remain visible on the menu throughout service. “I want it to be an invitation to visit at a different time of day,” says Lipson. “A message that we’re ready for the neighborhood to come in, regardless of the time.” Breakfast will be added to the menu soon and will feature grab-and-go items.
 
The beverage selection, designed by McCoy, also aims to keep things simple. “Lots of inspiration came from visiting Rome last year,” he says. “Drinks will be easier and lighter to match with the food. Think spritzes, low ABV options, lots of vermouth, amaros and gin. We’re also looking into creative, healthier ingredients like kombucha and carrot juice.”
 
“I’ve been a resident of the West Village for over 10 years,” says Burke. “We hope that the appeal of La Ventura goes beyond the food and beverage to the sense of hospitality that people can feel whenever they walk in. We want this to be a second home. Sure, I’m the owner here, but when it comes down to it, I’m also their neighbor.”
 
La Ventura opened on June 5 at 615 Hudson Street.