Michael Scelfo's Alden & Harlow Will Honor Casablanca

When Alden & Harlow opens in the former Casablanca space in Harvard Square, the menu will feature "subtle tips of the hat to what was there before," says chef Michael Scelfo to the Cambridge Day. Scelfo revealed the name of his new venture on Tuesday of this week, and now the Cambridge Day shares a few additional details. The restaurant might open as soon as July, Brian Lesser of Storyville and Sweet Cheeks will be a co-owner, and the menu will change daily and features dishes from $9 to $26. Scelfo expects to have nearly 200 seats and plans to serve until midnight Sunday through Wednesday, and until 1AM Thursdays through Saturdays with a closing time of 2AM, thereby adding yet another precious late-night option to the scene.

The Cambridge Day also reports that the restaurant plans to serve brunch on Sundays from 10AM to 2PM and may eventually work in a Saturday brunch and lunch as well. Customer service and the food will be the primary focus, says the paper: "This is a place for solid, honest food, free of hooks and buzzwords... With an intense focus on customer service."

The restaurant is named by the architects who constructed the building in 1890, which housed Casablanca from 1995 until late last December. And what of the former restaurant's storied murals, depicting scenes from the film that is its namesake? Appropriately, they'll be moving next door, to the Brattle Theater.

Michael Scelfo is currently the executive chef at the nearby Russell House Tavern and is an alum of Temple Bar, Good Life and more.

· Alden & Harlow Will Focus on Food, Nod to History [CD]
· Michael Scelfo [BostonChefs]
· All Coverage of Michael Scelfo on Eater [~EBOS~]