Melissa and Emily Elsen, the sisters behind acclaimed Gowanus pie shop Four and Twenty Blackbirds, are taking over the cafe inside the Brooklyn Public Library. The sisters are teaming up with brothers Mike and John Poiarkoff, of Vinegar Hill House and The Pines, respectively, on this new project. The Elsens will make the pies and pastries, and the Poiarkoffs will make the sandwiches.
Emily Elsen tells Grub Street: "[The Library] is based in our community, and is so rich with information and ideas. Of all the opportunities we've had as a small business, this is the most exciting." The crew is operating with a limited menu out of a temporary space right now, but the full kitchen and 18-table dining area will open in the middle of March.
· Elsen Sisters Opening Brooklyn Public Library Café [GS]
[Four & Twenty Blackbirds Photo]