In Williamsburg, a performance-space-cum-eatery
is as common as a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. But My Moon
is more than brick walls and cement floors. Opened in May by
Bener Bilgin, the vast 246-seat space functions as a gallery
with works by local artists changing every six weeks; a performance
space with a different act each night, including Wednesday’s
belly dancing with a live band; and a restaurant with an eclectic
Turkish-Mediterranean menu.
It took over a year for Bilgin’s team to gut a factory boiler
room and transform it into the high-ceilinged, multi-windowed
space with unusual booth seating: the former plant’s water tanks
are now banquettes (pictured).
Doors in the back of the restaurant open to a spacious courtyard
lined with wooden tables romantically framed with bright curtains
in Christo-like "Gates" saffron.
You can build a meal with small plates of chef Fernando Echeverri’s
hot and cold offerings such as the red Spanish peppers filled
with rice, sausage, and manchego cheese in a green sauce or tuna
tartar topped with beets and toasted almonds.
For hungrier appetites, there are entrees like the braised lamb
served in a clay casserole with Swiss chard, figs, roasted shallots
and vegetables.
As befits an art/performance/restaurant space, the specialty
cocktails outnumber the wines, three to one.
My Moon (184 North 10th St. between Bedford and Driggs avenues)
accepts American Express, MasterCard and Visa. Entrees: $13-$18.
The restaurant serves dinner daily. Brunch is available on weekends
from 11 am to 4 pm. For reservations, call (718) 599-7007. For
a list of upcoming performances, visit www.mymoonnyc.com.
