Bar Bruno Coming Soon To Henry Street
The old Marius Cafe space to become neighborhood cafe and bar
For months, Carroll Gardens residents have been walking by the vacant storefront at Union and Henry streets, wondering what would happen with the old Marius Cafe space. In recent weeks, signs of life have been seen -- buildings department signs went up in the window, as did a liquor license permit application notice.
Carroll Gardeners, welcome Bar Bruno, a neighborhood cafe and bar.
Owner Richard Ampudia, originally from Mexico City but a Brooklynite for more than 25 years, says he wants to open a space that will appeal to all members of the community.
"We want this to be a place that people feel comfortable, a place where you can come with your girlfriend, your kids or your friends," said Ampudia, who lives in Boerum Hill with his wife and partner Lena Seow and their two kids. "A neighborhood cafe where you know the waiter's name and you get a good meal."
Diners can expect a menu with classics like burgers and steaks, (Ampudia jokes he's not trying to "break culinary ground"), but also Mexican influenced dishes like fish tacos.
"The salsa will be great because I'm from Mexico," he said.
Ampudia said he hopes Bar Bruno will be a neighborhood place that people keep coming back to, like Frankie's or Watty & Meg.
"A local staple," he said.
There will be a full bar (license pending) where patrons can sit and eat or drink a margarita or a mojito, a few tables in the front and back and hopefully a brisk trade in take-out and delivery. Ampudia said if they are embraced by the neighborhood they would like to eventually have a few tables outside, too.
Bar Bruno is named after a restaurant in London that Ampudia loves, and is also an homage to the Italian heritage of Carroll Gardens.
Ampudia has been in the restaurant business for many years, and was one of the founding partners at the popular downtown eatery, Cafe Habana.
The space needed a lot of work, which is why it has taken Bar Bruno so long to open. Ampudia said they had to renovate from the basement up.
Bar Bruno's menu is not yet finished, but the restaurant should be open by mid-April. They will initially be open just for dinner, and soon after, brunch and maybe lunch.
Rob
2:30 pm on Friday, March 4, 2011
This doesn't seem very well thought out.
Eewew
2:56 pm on Friday, March 4, 2011
It is going to be nice, I like the "casual concept", nothing fancy, good food and fair priced, that's what we need in this area.
"This doesn't seem very well thought out." WTF?
Rob
3:09 pm on Friday, March 4, 2011
The restaurant market in the area is too competitive to open a place and say you're just trying to have a casual place that will appeal to everyone. We have old time Italian families, yuppies, and hipsters in the neighborhood, and they don't often mix where they sit down and eat. I think this place should have a specific target market in mind, and a well-honed menu. Nevermind the fact that its an American restaurant with an Italian name apparently specializing in salsa. I wish them the best, but I predict growing pains as they work, after the fact, to establish their niche in this market.
Danielle
6:25 pm on Friday, March 4, 2011
Shall we have another comment thread about whether or not "hipsters" actually live in C.G.? ;-)
Anthony
10:50 pm on Friday, March 4, 2011
A place for all kinds of people? Nah, it's going to be a place for yuppies and hipsters. And even if you don't think hipsters live here, some do hang out here unfortunately. And this place will be a haven for yuppies and hipsters. Yuck.
Danielle
12:04 am on Saturday, March 5, 2011
Anthony, what would be your idea of a new restaurant that wouldn't attract "yuppies and hipsters"?
Anthony
11:31 am on Sunday, March 6, 2011
It's too late for that, Danielle. Unfortunately they have taken over the neighborhood with their high-priced organic shops on virtually every corner. They allow their kids to do whatever they want and it's always "Oh, Oliver do you want to walk barefoot down Court Street?" It's never "Put your shoe on." I'm tired of them. However, I don't want to hijack this discussion about them. Continue discussing Bar Bruno.
c k dexter-haven
3:17 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
we live just off this corner. we need a little more diversity in the neighborhood and would welcome bar bruno with open arms. bring it.
not worried about yuppies or hipsters. it's a bit too far off the main drag for that and may "at worst" bring in the same crowd as lucali or alma's. i can live with that. besides, i'm pretty confident that those of you who've lived here longer than i would write me off as one of those yuppies. as you must.
if people are worried about kids running roughshod over customers, the owners can quickly instill a sense of what kind of behavior is expected or tolerated. works just fine for places like bar tabac that are both adult and kid friendly. it's primarily a bar, so i'm not worried. we'll see.
what we don't need is another second-rate italian restaurant or poorly conceived bakery / cafe.
Danielle
6:41 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
CK - it's unfortunate that a restaurant owner is the one who has to instill in kids what kind of behavior is expected. I thought that was the job of parents. ;-)
Anthony
8:27 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
For once I agree with you, Danielle.
Danielle
9:52 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
"For once"? Anthony, you make it sound like we've known each 10 years! ;-)
c k dexter-haven
11:44 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
whether explicit or not, every restaurant, bar and retail space has its own code of behavior, so, of course, the owners and staff should be able to express what is expected. yeah, it's the parents who have that primary responsibility, but, in denmark, where i come from, people aren't afraid to step in and speak their mind if a child is acting out in a restaurant, for example... or another guest. it's not policing per se, just community behavior. i don't know, i'm not interested in making this a conversation about parenting and i'm not worried about this being an issue at bar bruno.
Lisamarie Librera
9:44 am on Thursday, March 17, 2011
I have lived here all my life (46 years) and I'm not too sure this will be a great idea, 1 this is pretty much residentail block. The nose will not go over too well with the neighbors, and 2 do we really need another Bar/Resturant in Carroll Gardens. With that said Hey Live and Let Live Best Wishes......hey they have the 76 PCT. right across the street...