Brooks Brothers steaks out new business

BROOKS BROTHERS, clothier of choice for upscale professional men for 195 years, apparently has designs on breaking into a new line of work. Steve Cuozzo of The New York Post reported on Monday that “the famed American apparel chain aims to open a 15,000 square-foot eatery next summer at 11 E. 44th St., around the corner from its 346 Madison Ave. flagship.

“Brooks Brothers has never been in the restaurant business. But the currently vacant venue, which the company previously used for its women’s line, is to be the prototype for what sources said would be a nationwide rollout of Makers and Merchants eateries.”

Cuozzo reported that “the East 44th Street location might be ideal for the clothing giant’s culinary debut. The blocks around Grand Central Terminal teem with high-spending executives craving classic American food.

“Plus, proximity to Brooks Brothers’ history-steeped flagship thematically links the restaurant to its smartly woven, conservatively tailored men’s suits, shirts and ties.”

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It’s early yet; development plans haven’t even been filed with the New York City Buildings Department or — the really important threshold — the State Liquor Authority. But some parts of the concept are farther along than others.

We recently obtained a photo of a test version of part of a menu being considered for the restaurant. It’s not finalized, of course, but if the first draft is an indication of what’s to come, fans of steak and Brooks Brothers’ classic mens’ wear styles should find much to celebrate:

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Image credit: Brooks Brothers plaque: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images.