Barbecue Collaboration Fort Gansevoort to Open in the MePa This Week

Serious barbecue comes to the Meatpacking District with tomorrow night's opening of Fort Gansevoort at 5 Ninth Avenue. The courtyard of this three-story Greek Revival building erected in 1849 will be a showcase for the cooking method, with a large pit featuring ingredients sourced from local meat packers, along with a take-out window.

The Fort Gansevoort project, which will be a platform for exhibits, vendors and events, is being curated by art advisor and documentary film producer Adam Shopkorn. He is instituting a BBQ Residency Program, inviting renowned and emerging pitmasters to visit and present their unique recipes and smoking styles. The full line-up is yet-to-be- announced, but the organizers note that Boston's Andy Husbands and Brooklyn's Joe Carroll will be cooking there at some point soon.

Says Shopkorn: "I wanted to open a barebones, no-frills space, and let the food speak for itself. BBQ is the perfect Meatpacking District Fit. I envision people lining up on the street.''