A Newly Renovated Sqirl Reopens With Indoor Seating + A Sleeker Look

Sqirl, Jessica Koslow's Virgil Ave. café, reopened on Sunday after a renovation that took around two weeks. The changes, described by a poetic sign on the window as “phase one” include a larger indoor space that now accommodates customer seating. A large communal table now runs down the center of the room, and there's a counter with stools along the wall under the menu boards.

Sqirl's previous space, which opened in October of last year, was certainly charming. But it was also quite cramped, and seating was on the sidewalk and in the patio nook beside the building (that seating remains). Phase two of the changes will be the opening in the adjacent space of Lou's Wine and Provisions, a market and wine shop from Lou Amdur. The neighborhood is buzzing with rumors of other plans for expansion, but thus far the new, expanded indoor space and Amdur's next-door market are all we can expect for sure.

See also: Lou Amdur To Open Lou's Wine + Provisions Next To Sqirl, Plus Top Secret Second Location

Cortado at Sqirl; Credit: B. Rodell

Another change is in the coffee operation, which was previously run by G&B Coffee. G&B has moved on, opening in Grand Central Market, as well as working on a new project called Go Get Em Tiger in Larchmont Village. Sqirl's coffee is now being handled by Colleen King, formerly of Intelligentsia.

The food menu seems unchanged, with the same delicious breakfasts of toast, ultra fresh vegetables and rice bowls, and lunch specials, including a cold mussel salad with fresh shelling beans and basil.

Cold mussel salad at Sqirl; Credit: B. Rodell

(Full disclosure: Sqirl's owner Jessica Koslow was formerly an occasional contributor to Squid Ink. She is not to be confused with our current contributor, Jessica A. Koslow.)

See also: Sqirl to Open in Silver Lake: Q&A with Jessica Koslow

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