New Neighborhood Bistro, Charley, Opens in Harrison

Charley, a new Viennese bistro, recently opened in Harrison and it’s nothing short of a European experience. Located at 202 Angelo Cifelli Drive, Charley is run by acclaimed chef Kurt Gutenbrunner. 

Coming to Harrison 

Charley officially opened on February 12. The concept was inspired by the culture of a Viennese Kaffeehaus or “coffee house.”

“Charley sprung from the idea to create a neighborhood bistro with inspired food and beverage offerings. Specifically, the concept of the historic Viennese café intrigued me, as reinterpreted through the lens of today’s healthier and more casual world,” hospitality investor David Barry, who’s also behind the development of the Harrison Urby Apartments building, told us.

“I’m always interested in building community around my developments. One of our signatures at Urby is to create a gathering space adjacent to the entrance of our building where the local community and residents can mix. Charley located in the newest Harrison Urby building is a perfect fit…Charley is rooted in the culture of a Viennese Kaffeehaus — a place where all walks of community would gather from day to night to exchange ideas.”

The Bistro’s Vienna Vibe

The main dining room, which seats up to 65 guests, is an intimate setting with turquoise and white-themed décor. Upon entering, customers are face to face with the bar area, which has high tops and a few barstools for patrons who are waiting for their table or would rather sit at the bar for a cocktail or beer. 

“Vienna was an important design capital in the late 1800s-early 1900s, so there are some really cool nods to the history of Viennese design, such as light fixtures inspired by Albert Loos and a poster wall typical of Viennese cafes that combines Vienna Werkstätte-style wallpaper with wheat-pasted, pop culture posters,” David shares.

Charley then expands onto a covered outdoor patio with a fireplace that is weatherproofed, making it a cozy place to enjoy a cocktail all year round.