Unbuckle your seatbelts and get ready for the newest bits, bites, and of course, delicious gossip, from a restaurant near you.
Silly sammies: Looking for the perfect post-opera nibble? Greenpoint’s Halcyon Gourmet has got you covered. The “Nixon in China” sandwich is inspired by an opera of the same name currently playing at the Met, and features Chinese Five-Spiced, Hoisin-Braised Beef Short-Rib with Fennel and Daikon Slaw on a soft bun. Wonder what “The Flying Dutchman” would taste like? Hurry though — this special sandwich, like the opera, has a strictly limited run…
Pass the pig: Gear up for the rigors of Lent with a feast of porcine proportions at Tommaso Ristorante in Bath Beach. Their eagerly anticipated Carnevale celebration runs from Feb. 25 to March 8, and features a belly-busting array of traditional Italian favorites, served family style. Don’t forget to pay your respects to the delicious guest of honor, a whole suckling pig grinning from his throne of lettuce and oranges!
South American Slope: Betcha can’t guess what kind of food newly opened Park Slope resto, Colombia, serves. Operating out of the space on Fifth Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets formally occupied by the Italian deli, Pollio, empanadas and carne asada are set to take the place of mortadella and ham cappy.
Five sighs: We hear that Five Guys Burgers and Fries, which has locations on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights, Seventh Avenue in Park Slope and Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, will open a new location inside the Metrotech office complex in Downtown. This is a techtonic shift for workers in and near the Community Newspaper Group building at 1 Metrotech Center. Like them or not, the burgers will be a welcome addition to the otherwise limited offerings.
Land ho: We see a new nautical dive on Bushwick’s horizon! Grub Street offered a first look at the Anchored Inn, the seaweed-draped brainchild of Half King bartenders Adrienne Dowd and Carmen Mello. Although the theme doesn’t seem to fully extend to the menu (the requisite beer and shot special for $5, boiled peanuts), the deep sea diver by the front door seems ready to party.
Flippin’ fantastic: Jake’s Wayback Burger plans to open its first city franchise in our fair borough. Take that, Manhattan! Jake’s signature sign, inspired in design by classic American roadside burger joints, has been spotted Downtown on Livingston Street, just east of Adams Street. Work is being done, but no word yet on when the branch will be open for belly-bustin’ business.
Presto change-o! Kush Café has becoe Hill Café in Clinton Hill, and chef Samual Beket (no, not the Existential playwright!), will be bringing a taste of his Ivory Coast upbringing to the restructured French-American menu. The café promises “fare rich in exotic spices with vegetarian-friendly options that offer much more than a glorified side of vegetables.” Someone tell PETA!
G’bye, mate: Grub Street reports that Williamsburg’s Aussie-themed eatery, Wombat, has closed its doors. That leaves D.U.B Pies, Sheep Station, or (gasp!) Outback Steakhouse for Brooklynites seeking to fulfill a jones for grub from down under.
We hardly knew ye: Another one bites the dust in Williamsburg, but according to Eater, it may not be for long. The seven-month old Southern restaurant, Honeychiles’, just may swap its cramped digs —literally the side window of the Charleston bar on Bedford — for a full, self-sustaining Billyburg space.
Say wha? Although hot chef du jour Nate Smith, formerly of the Spotted Pig, opened Dean Street in Prospect Heights just one month ago, the New York Times reported that he’s already moved on. And it wasn’t an amicable split either. Apparently, Smith drew the line at TV being played during dinner hours, and commented that he “didn’t want to be part of a sports bar.” Smith and his wife, pastry chef Sophie Kamin, are looking to start a new project in Williamsburg “sooner rather than later.”
No Coke — Pepsi: Cheeburger Cheeburger has opened at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Third Street in Park Slope. The Florida-based chain is named after a line in an old “Saturday Night Live” sketch — fortunately not from “Samurai Delicatessen.”
Marius divorce: There’s work being done at the Marius Cafe on Henry Street, which closed for “renovations” over the summer. Our friends at Brownstoner report that a sign in the window of the new place at the corner of Union Street says it will be called “Tessa and Luco.” Too bad; Marius had decent bagels.
