By COLlive reporter
Photos and video: Itzik Roytman/COLlive
Bison & Bourbon, Brooklyn’s newest Kosher meat restaurant, opened to rave reviews Thursday at its first event.
At a VIP opening event, owners Duddy Shagalov, Ariel Mangami and Menachem Wolf, together with the restaurant’s original owners Ersin Vurgun and Erdam Sahin, mingled with the upbeat crowd, shaking hands and offering words of welcome.
Video: Welcome to Bison & Bourbon
Set in a building used as a warehouse in the 1930’s, the owners have transformed it into a unique dining establishment and full bar with a European outdoor vibe and a historic look inside. Reclaimed wood from the roof of the building was lovingly restored for the bar and tables and the building boasts its original brick walls. A relaxing outdoor seating area feels like an oasis in the middle of Brooklyn.
VIP guests were served by a team of friendly waiters, who genuinely seemed to enjoy being there as much as the guests.
Guests were served a delectable assortment of the restaurant’s offerings, with appetizers such as cured salmon, Tartufo bread with fried mushrooms and truffle garlic spread, and lamb ribs in a spring pea puree. Entrees included branzino with poblano tomato coulis and a tantalizing array of steaks such as center cut ribeye, barbecue beef ribs, apple wood smoked Delmonico and more.
Dessert was a luscious spread of molten lava cake, grilled fruits, and chocolate almond ganache with graham cracker crust and homemade marshmallows.
The food was plentiful and just kept coming out of the kitchen, which features open windows so guests can see the food being prepared by Chef Cyndi Stanimirov, a former panelist on the TV show Hell’s Kitchen.
Andrea Luca Rossi, a charismatic fellow who is the restaurant’s general manager, is also a trained chef. He has worked with Chef Stanimirov for many years in the past, and is delighted to work with her on creating a Kosher menu for the first time.
“We call this place a ‘steakhouse with a twist,'” he told COLlive. “The goal is young and fun – and we cover all the bases. We want to offer our guests good food, seasonal and approachable dishes, and not overpriced.
“All our food has a story,” says Rossi. “For example, before we buy fish, we find out where it comes from, where is the best place to get this type of fish at this time of year.”
“We have created a beautiful place here, which we’ve put our heart and soul into creating,” owner Duddy Shagalov says. “And now we want to share that with everyone.”
The focal point of the restaurant is the bar which runs along the side of the room, where professional mixologists create specialty drinks of all kinds. “You won’t find a cocktail program like this in any other Kosher restaurant in the world,” Shagalov says.
If you happen to visit the restaurant earlier in day, you would find the bartenders and sommeliers preparing the fresh ingredients for the drinks by hand, Rossi explains.
The restaurant boasts its own greenhouse on the roof, where all their herbs are grown and picked for cooking. They also planted a lemon verbena tree in the front yard.
“The food we prepare is thoughtful and creative all year round,” Rossi says. “We put the food together in harmony so when you taste it, you say ‘Wow, I want more.’ This is Kosher food at its best,” he says proudly.
The restaurant is ideally located right off the BQE in Gowanus, Brooklyn, in close proximity to the neighboring Jewish communities and an approximate 10 minute drive from the frum Jewish neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Flatbush, Boro Park and Williamsburg at 191 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215.
The restaurant will be open from Tuesday, June 7th.
They are taking limited reservations now, at [email protected].
Bison and Bourbon
191 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Tel: 718-422-0801
Under OK Supervision
I wish you a lot of success, good on you.
i was there and the food is amazing and great service
Some Lubavitch-owned fleishig restaurants outside Crown Heights always make sure that there is at least something on the menu that is made from Lubavitch-hechsher meat (CHK, Montreal, etc.). Some examples are Casbah on the Upper West Side, and Pardes on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn.
Will this new restaurant always have something for those of us who choose to stick to Lubavitch Hechsher meat?
If not, will you always have fish and/or parve entrees included on the menu?
Looks inviting. Hatzlachah Rabbah on your new enterprise. Hope to visit soon Iy”H
I also have 10k followers on Instagaram and think I can cook. Why wasn’t I invited?
U must be a sick minded individual.
To go out to a beautiful Resturant with food that looks fantastic, and the only thing u can think about us how the waitresses dress?! Are u one of those people that cruise down the street with a measuring tape measuring girls sleeves and skirts?
Keep your eyes where hey belong!
What u need my friend is an INTERNET FILTTER.
Increible food surrounded by an astounding atmosphere, a real treat
You should put more thought into why YOU seem to get “distracted” in a “Kosher Eatery”. ??? There may be a underlying issue you need to resolve before you you place blame on others. The MK (Montreal Kosher) is known to be very strict in all respects of Halacha as it applies to a food establishment. They go above and beyond their call of duty to make sure everything is done correctly. Not to mention, there are a few very well respected Lubavitch Rabonim serving on the board of the MK. Check you Tefilin and Mezuzos before making such brazen… Read more »
i invested in a few of these be careful with the overhead
please inform
very sensitive. will definitely bring you Brochos
Looks great, I’ll make sure to stop by when I’m in the hood!!
What Hashgacha is the meat?
very nice, very high brow, it is about time hatzlacha
Hatzlacha Rabbah!
Nice to see the waitresses dressed – in a manner that does not “distract” from the food, unlike the waitresses in “kosher” eateries in Montreal.
I think you forgot to invite me! I don’t see my picture anywhere.
this food look fantastic!!!
looking forward