Owners of the proposed Brooklyn Heights Wine Bar cleared their first hurdle on Wednesday night when Community Board 2’s health, environment and social services committee voted to approve proprietor Mark Lahm’s liquor license application.
Lahm said he hopes to open his restaurant in February, but doesn’t expect to get his full liquor license until later in the spring.
Lahm got the support from the CB2 committee despite the rejection of another restaurateur’s bid for a booze license at the same meeting. The CB2 panel has a reputation for being tough on liquor license applicants.
Lahm, who co-owns the new venture with Jim Montemarano of the neighboring Cranberry’s bakery and deli, had applied for a new license for the spot to ensure he would have no associations with its former (and now disgraced) owners.
Last year, former manager Dan Kaufman, who was best known as the “Busy Chef” after one of the other area eateries he ran, was arrested and charged with ripping off customers by running extra charges on their credit cards.
