Tom Colicchio's Next Venture? Working the Parking Lot

Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio is going to spending a lot of time hanging out by the railroad tracks this summer. In mid-June, the ambitious Lot on 30th Street -- a foodie destination adjacent to New York's High Line park -- will launch, and with it, Tom's 350-seat bar, The Lot on Tap.

"This is my first bar under a defunct railway," Tom joked to the New York Times about the off-the-wall locale. And the reasoning behind the whole thing is really pretty simple-- to spice up summer. Happy to be taking part in the project, "not just because it's important to add revenues in the summer, when things slow down in New York, but also to do a large outdoor space like this at the High Line -- it's just fun," he explained.

Tom will also oversee the small fleet of food trucks that will set up shop at the Lot on 30th Street. The trucks will feature lobster rolls, ice cream, tacos, falafel, smoothies and slushies. "We'll be offering food that is sustainable, and local, and that goes well with beer and wine-- and that isn't terribly expensive," he told the Times. "We'll be setting up our own outdoor raw bar, too, and, eventually, a grill for simple things like steak sandwiches."

The Lot will eventually be open seven days a week, and will boast a public art exhibition with its culinary delights.

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