Red Hook's latest is the Pitt's
A new Southern-inspired restaurant takes the place of Fort Defiance (and more Red Hook Intel)
Red Hook is becoming something of a culinary destination – what with stalwarts like Red Hook Tavern and The Good Fork, and newcomers like Bar Mario and Cafe Kestrel. Now comes Pitt’s, a new Southern-inspired bistro opening January 17th from James Beard-nominated Chef Jeremy Salamon and the team behind Agi’s Counter.
Pitt’s will open in the space that was most recently the beloved Fort Defiance (347 Van Brunt St) and is named for Jeremy’s nickname growing up. Like Agi’s Counter, which leans into his Hungarian-Jewish roots, Pitt’s is meant to evoke nostalgia of family memories, various travels, and of the “golden era” of New York dining.
The menu at this lovely little neighborhood restaurant merges Southern picnics with a modern bistro, pulling inspiration from Jeremy’s time cooking in The Triangle region in North Carolina, as well as in New York restaurant kitchens.
The complimentary bread service – warm Caraway Pull-apart Rolls with Butter – seems reason enough to grab a seat, but there’s also a Soufflé with Maple and Cream that you can pre-order early on in your meal; I feel like this is sort of the dessert equivalent of an SSRI.
Jeremy’s menu includes lots of fun snackable share plates: Gouda Pimento with Fried Saltines, Pickled Shrimp with Oyster Mayo, a Confetti Salad with Endives, Apples, Pickled Peppers, and Escargot with Green Goddess Cognac Butter.
I’m not sure how I feel about Grilled Mutton Chop with Mint Jelly, but that’s a house specialty. There’s also a Fried Country Captain Poussin with a Carrot Ginger Salad, an Anchovy Larded Swordfish Au Poivre, and Carolina Rice Grit with Bottarga, plus a rotating set of seasonally selected and prepared vegetable sides. In addition to the Souffle, there’s a Pixie Pie and a Hot Fudge Sundae with house-made Ice Cream.
Local Red Hook beers are stars of the beverage menu, but there are also wines by the glass and by the bottle and elegant versions of classic cocktails by bartender Ben Hopkins (Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Momofuku Kō, Please Don’t Tell, and HiLot). His menu includes a Cosmo 75 a lovely marriage between a Cosmopolitan and a French 75 with Vodka, Lemon, Simple Syrup, and Bitters, and another mashup, a Negroni Sazerac, another mash up of two classics, a mix of Gin, Strawberry Gin, Vermouth, and Campari. His Taeko Coffee (pictured above) pays homage to the beloved Fort Defiance Irish Coffee cocktail; with Coffee, Mizu, Barley Shochu, and Demerara Syrup.
Sydney Moss, a Brooklyn-based interior designer with a passion for sustainability and whimsy, decorated the 70s styled space, pulling in red leather and wood panels, carrot-hued wallpaper, oil paintings, and fruit, vegetable-themed knick knacks and warm lighting. It’s bound to be a gem.
Now if you’re over in Red Hook for dinner, stay a while. There are aspirational home design shops all up and down Van Brunt (you know the sort where you can buy a hand-woven jute rug, a pale ceramic vase, fancy linens for your table, and the like), but here are a few lesser known spots to check out.
First, Olive’s Very Vintage is probably the most extensive and magnificent vintage clothing collection in Brooklyn – true vintage, not just thrift. Tell Jenn I say hi when you check it out. Then head over to the Red Hook Coffee Shop, right next to Red Hook Tavern where you’ll find incredible coffee, delicious pastries, a thoughtfully curated vintage thrift shop. Then wander over to Raaka where delicious fair trade dark chocolate is made by hand — and if you can, attend their bean-to-bar chocolate making class. Pop into Apotheke for a candle-making class, and finally, don’t miss the sunsets at Strong Rope brewery.
Pitt’s will be open Wednesday - Sunday evenings, with daytime hours and weekend brunch to come. Instagram @pitts_bk.
Have the best time!