While the name Melt may make you think
"coffee shop," this new Park Slope restaurant is anything
but.
"[Melt is] meant to evoke a bringing together or melting
of ideas, flavors and ingredients in a stylish environment that
is approachable and affordable," explained the eatery’s
director of operations, Cenk Fikri.
To accomplish that goal, Cenk and Melt’s owner, Muguette Siem
A Sjoe, transformed the site of Sjoe’s old Casper Jones Cafe
with a chocolate-and-white color scheme; had a long, curving
shelf installed behind the bar; and lined the room with round,
white wooden tables.
"The room is modern but very warm," says Cenk.
The menu, developed by chef Brian Bunger – formerly of the Park
Avenue Cafe in Manhattan – features sliced Berkshire pork tenderloin
drizzled with a port wine reduction, accompanied by sauteed spinach
and sweet corn polenta (pictured). The wine list boasts hard-to-find
bottles from smaller producers that can be ordered by the glass
for $5 to $9.
On Tuesday evenings, Bunger gets the night off, and a chef working
in a different style – Japanese one week, Mediterranean the next
– steps in and serves a five-course, prix fixe tasting menu at
an unbeatable $20. (Reservations are strongly recommended for
these dinners.)
No wonder the house cocktail – a mix of champagne, honey vodka,
pear, mint and fresh ginger – is called the "Joie de Vivre."
Melt (440 Bergen St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues) accepts
MasterCard and Visa. Entrees: $14-$23. The restaurant serves
lunch and dinner daily and brunch on weekends, from 11 am to
4 pm. For reservations, call (718) 230-5925.
