Bar Bruno Begins Again

Both Carroll Gardens and Williamsburg locations will be rebooting under an impressive new ownership team.

Bar Bruno, which opened in 2011 on Henry Street, will get a new life in Carroll Gardens (and Williamsburg)!

Here’s the Strong Buzz scoop.

About a month ago, Bar Bruno shuttered its doors suddenly with a “renovating be back soon” sign in the window. But I noticed that the restaurant applied for a new liquor license, so I realized it was not just a renovation; it was a new team of owners in place. And I just found out who, and it’s good news for all of us who call Carroll Gardens home.

The team behind Greenpoint Fish and Lobster—Marta alum Peter Juusola, chef Orion Russell and partner Vinny Milburn are in at Bar Bruno; the partners have purchased both businesses—the corner spot in Carroll Gardens and larger space on Manhattan Avenue in Williamsburg.

For the Carroll Gardens space, which will open in the next few weeks (as soon as their liquor license comes through from the SLA), the partners plan a revised and rebooted version of the neighborhood fave. They’re updating the menu with more authentic Mexican fare, better margs, nicer wines, more careful cocktails, and a refreshed, clean design. “We want to bring it back to its warm lovable neighborhood self,” Juusola told me when we chatted yesterday on the phone. “We’re going to bring down prices, update the food, and do something that we think the neighborhood will love without throwing too much a wrench into it. It will remain a place to come with the family or after kids go to sleep for a drink.” I’m in.

The sample menu includes guac, pozole, nachos and ceviche, a section of tacos (including their amazing pescado tacos made with fish from Greenpoint Fish and Lobster), five different burritos including guajillo shrimp and chicken mole, as well as large format platters – enchiladas, chile rellenos, half a chicken in a housemade Oaxacan mole, broiled whole fish, and house burger with 7oz burger, poblano mayo, cheddar, pickled jalapeño, and fries. They’re going to add brunch soon – chilaquiles, carnitas Benedict, a burrito desayuno stuffed with scrambled eggs, avocado, chipotle mayo, salsa matcha, and potatoes; fluffy masa pancakes, and platers of huevos rancheros. They’ll also do a big kids menu to keep the tots happy. “We’re planning to make it approachable and delicious,” he said.

The new Bar Bruno space in Williamsburg will be rebooted with another concept, TBD to open by late spring.

Bar Bruno is located at 520 Henry Street in Carroll Gardens. See you there!