New York's West Village is about to get even more cinematic – and culinary. Film studio A24, known for its cult-favourite movies like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Babygirl, has taken over the historic Cherry Lane Theatre on Commerce Street. While the theatre has long been a haven for avant-garde plays and cultural experimentation, its 2025 reboot will add an unexpected twist: a full-service restaurant and bar called 'Wild Cherry', run by two of New York’s most celebrated chefs.

Your first look inside Wild Cherry

The Frenchette team takes the stage

Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, the powerhouse duo behind Frenchette, Le Rock, and the recently revived Le Veau d’Or, are spearheading the dining project inside the Cherry Lane’s lobby.

Known for blending historic charm with modern French cooking, the pair is set to create an intimate, 60-seat restaurant that elevates the “dinner and a show” experience. Guests will be able to settle in before curtain call and linger with cocktails long after the final bow.

This isn’t the team’s first time pairing fine dining with the arts. Their Frenchette Bakery at the Whitney Museum already showed how well their food plays in cultural spaces. At Cherry Lane, expect timeless French-inspired menus that nod to history without feeling dated – think duck rillettes before your screening instead of popcorn.

Why does everyone want a table?

With A24 involved, this is more than just a pre-theatre bistro. The studio has already tested the waters of hospitality with its own branded chocolate bars, and its takeover of the Cherry Lane signals a vision far beyond film screenings. A chef-driven bar and restaurant transforms the venue into a clubhouse-style destination, where cinephiles, theatregoers, and food lovers intersect.

Given the pedigree of both A24 and the Frenchette team, demand will be high. Much like Frenchette itself, which remains one of NYC’s toughest reservations, securing a spot at Cherry Lane’s restaurant won’t be as simple as walking in.

How to book a table

While reservations aren’t open yet (the restaurant is slated to launch in the next two months), here are a few tips to get ahead of the inevitable rush:

1. Stay updated via Instagram

Follow both Cherry Lane Theatre and Frenchette on social media for up-to-the-minute updates. Openings at this level are often announced to loyal followers first.

2. Check Cherry Lane’s upcoming programming

Given that the restaurant is open to theatre-goers before shows, you're more likely to snag a spot if you're getting tickets. It's looking like bundled dinner reservations may be offered as part of the experience.

Feature image via Instagram.