Past issues
Feeds
The Paper in print
Twitter
Facebook
Contact
Email updates Twitter Facebook RSS Feeds
It’s back to basics for a new suds, spirits and small bites bar on Graham Avenue.
Forget finicky eats, labor-intensive libations and over-conceptualized décor — basik hopes to set itself apart from its high-minded competitors by offering low-priced, no muss no fuss fare in a casual, neighborhood setting.
“Our aim is to be a bar with elevated food, but not a restaurant,” said co-owner Jay Zimmerman, former beverage director at The Breslin and The Standard New York.
“We try not to take ourselves to seriously,” he added. “Our boquerones ($4) are a great example of that — they’re kind this snooty, white anchovy from Spain, but you put a little olive oil and parsley on them, and they’re a just a great snack to have with a beer.”
It’s equally hard to feel uppity over the Wisconsin Dog with house mustard, white onion and cheddar ($5), the sausage and pepper stuffed Hippy Roll ($8) or the chicken salad sandwich with olive oil mayo on flatbread ($8), although the highly refined can choose to pair their wine with the arugula, apple and pine nut salad, with pesto baguette ($6).
The space also offers a little something for everyone — from a seat at the salvaged butcher block bar, to a tête-à-tête at a two-top overlooking the avenue, to a gathering at one of the large, communal tables, to a rollicking party (or until the weather warms, maybe just a smoke) in the oversized backyard.
“We wanted a place that you could bring anyone to; grandma or girlfriend,” said co-owner Derrek Vernon. “Our cocktails are amazing — (note: try the refreshing Poppa’s Pride, with bourbon, ginger, mint, lemon, soda and bitters, or the knock-your-socks-off Mea Culpa, with tequila, punt e mes, velvet falernum, and lime) — but we don’t want you to feel like you have to order one. You can get a three dollar Bud and four dollar hot dog, and we’ll be just as happy that you came.”
basik [323 Graham Ave. between Devoe and Ainslie streets in Williamsburg, (347) 899-7599].
Reach Arts Editor Juliet Linderman at jlinderman@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8309.©2012 Community Newspaper Group
By submitting this comment, you agree to the following terms:
You agree that you, and not BrooklynPaper.com or its affiliates, are fully responsible for the content that you post. You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening or sexually-oriented material or any material that may violate applicable law; doing so may lead to the removal of your post and to your being permanently banned from posting to the site. You grant to BrooklynPaper.com the royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual and fully sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such content in whole or in part world-wide and to incorporate it in other works in any form, media or technology now known or later developed.
Print this story
Digg this
Del.icio.us