Team Behind Popular Long Island Bar Is Opening a New Cocktail Bar in Brooklyn

A new bar from the Long Island Bar team

Long Island Bar owners Toby Cecchini and Joel Tompkins will open another cocktail spot in Fort Greene. At 31 Rockwell Pl., the still-unnamed bar will serve six types of each liquor, plus a couple of beers on tap. It will also have slimmer cocktail and food menus. But the spirit of Long Island Bar will permeate, one known for retro decor, quality takes on classic drinks, and American food — including an inexplicably named single-patty “ladies’” burger.

A pho-off at Madame Vo

In advance of his departure from New York City, former Hanoi House chef John Nguyen will engage in a pho battle royale. Taking place this Monday, August 27 at East Village neighbor Madame Vo, Nguyen will cook his signature Hanoi-style pho against Madame Vo’s more Southern Vietnam style from chef Jimmy Ly. Diners can then decide which wins from the $35 “pho flight.”

A closing and a coming attraction

Flinders Lane is closing this Sunday, August 26. The East Village Australian restaurant was open for five years; owners did not give a reason for the closure. But nearby, a new all-day cafe and wine bar will open at 520 East 14th St. called Dua Kafe Wine + Beer.

The story behind Sofreh

The owner of Sofreh is profiled in the Times, revealing how she came to open the new Prospect Heights Persian restaurant. Nasim Alikhani emigrated from Iran at 23, becoming a nanny and learning to cook through feeding the children. She felt more connected to home through food, and a desire grew to open an Iranian restaurant. She waited until her children left home, and now at 59, runs one of the buzziest new openings in Brooklyn.