Business & Tech

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.

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"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.

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"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 or .

"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.


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