Clandestino

Profile

Sure it has always had karaoke bars and destination spots like Double Happiness and Milk & Honey, but BelDel, the area below Delancey, suffered from a dearth of quiet and cozy neighborhood spots until French-born Laure Travers bought an appliance store two blocks from her home, installed a small mahogany bar and scattered some tables and chairs throughout. The boxy room, which has brick and wood-paneled walls and a mustard-painted pressed-tin ceiling, is anchored by six taps that belch out beer-drinkers’ beers like Guinness and Hoegaarden; four corner speakers bathe the room in conversation-friendly indie pop, world beat, and French miscellany. The internationalism continues via a small selection of French and Spanish wines. — Daniel Maurer