Gaslight Clifton has a small business district along Ludlow Avenue anchored by a few establishments that draw not just Cliftonites but also people from other parts of town. These “destination” businesses include the Esquire Theatre, the restaurant Postmark and the music venue Ludlow Garage, which books a wide range of mostly acoustic acts and has a bar and casual restaurant upstairs from the concert hall.

Now the owners of Ludlow Garage, Dave and Claudia Taylor, have renovated a historic building across the street and opened the Gaslight Bar & Grill in the old Clifton branch of the public library. It serves lunch and dinner six days a week, includes an expansive bar with a dozen seats and, when the weather warms, they’ll debut Clifton’s first rooftop patio.

Along with Chef/General Manager Kevin Worthington and Chef de Cuisine Manuel Mediodia, the Taylors opened the doors just after Thanksgiving and have seen “steady business,” according to Worthington. “We’re not slammed, which is great,” he added.

Worthington and Mediodia put together the dinner, lunch and drinks menus toward straight-ahead American comfort food with a few high-end flourishes. You can get soups, salads and sandwiches in the $5-$13 range or try pricier pasta entrées ($14-$27) or meat/seafood dishes ($18-$32).

Photos by Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The Gaslight Bar & Grill is located in the old Clifton branch of the public library. It serves lunch and dinner six days a week, includes an expansive bar with a dozen seats and, when the weather warms, they’ll debut Clifton’s first rooftop patio. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Restaurant interior Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Lolita cocktail (Casamigos blanco tequila, clove syrup, strawberry) Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
An excellent plate of fried oysters ($11) Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The beet plate ($8) — very thinly sliced red and yellow beets with a large-ish serving of mild creamy cheese and balsamic drizzle. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Duck confit ravioli Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The bar offers a nice selection of beers. Photo: Paige Deglow Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The Fahrenheit 451 (pomegranate-infused vodka, honey syrup, Moroccan bitters) Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The bread pudding ($7), with a browned marshmallow topping Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Bar manager preparing the Fahrenheit 451 cocktail Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The bar Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Greek spaghetti Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The duck confit ravioli — three very large ravioli stuffed with a generous amount of duck meat, enrobed in the richest of brandy cream sauces Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Bathroom Photo: Paige Deglow Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Restaurant interior Photo: Paige Deglow Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The Lolita cocktail Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Fried oyster appetizer Photo: Paige Deglow Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
Restaurant interior Photo: Paige Deglow Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow
The Greek spaghetti Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow