Openings

Brinkley’s on the Brink: Your Very First Look at the Menu

Photo: Daniel Maurer

After stopping into Brinkley’s for a walk-through, we can report that Tom and Anthony Martignetti have done wonders with the former Bar Martignetti space. The brothers are avowed McNally fans, and they’re clearly aiming to create a Minetta Tavern for Soho locals here, with a similar focus on value (all of the entrées will be under $21) and old-school chic. The floor is, of course, black-and-white tile, and as you can see, there are wooden Venetian blinds in the window (on said window: a decal of a smoking bear inspired by a communist-era Polish circus poster). But there are differences here, starting with a communal table up front that’s dotted with school chairs, and rolling factory carts that will be used as lounge tables. There will also be flat-screen TVs, so the brothers can watch their Pats games. They aren’t making any bones about the fact that this is a pub, though they want to create a New York version of an English pub, where the focus will be on local foods and local drinks.

To that end, consulting chef Ben Towill (the opening chef at Kingswood) is sourcing greens from Satur Farms of Cutchogue; grass-fed beef from Fossil Farms, which has a program that allows them to get meat raised within only 100 miles of the city; chickens and guinea fowl from northern New Jersey; and vegetables from the greenmarket. Daily specials will be written on a chalkboard, starting with a Long Island striped bass. The drink program is still more adamantly locavore: All 30 wines (10 of them by the glass) come from New York, as well as eight tap beers including Genesee Cream Ale (there will also be a cask ale).

Brinkley’s will open for friends and family this weekend, and for the general public on Monday. The brothers hope to eventually serve the entire menu (the opening version of which is below) till 4 a.m.

Bar Snacks
$5 Jar of Olives
$7 Pot of Seasonal Pickles
$ 8 Sardines on Toast with Tomato Sauce
$10 Duck Liver Pate with Red Onion Balsamic Jam and Pistachios
$18 Pint of Roasted Prawns with Bloody Mary Ketchup
$8-19 Artisanal Meat and Cheese Board (see black board)

Small Plates
$11 Artichoke Soup with Toasted Barley and Parmesan
$12 Butter Poached Pheasant and Kale Ceasar Salad
$12 Market Bean Salad with Cumin Yogurt, Caramelized Onions, Almonds
$13 Shaved Cauliflower Salad with Radicchio, Pine Nuts and Truffle Oil
$11 Monkfish Fritters, Mushy Peas and Tartar Sauce
$13/18 Zucchini Carbonara with Smoked Virginia Bacon
$8 The Brinkley Dog, Roasted Apples, Leeks and Cheddar


Plates
$14 Stilton and Pork Sausage with Bubble and Squeak
$13 Apple, Oatmeal and Stout Banger with Mashed Potato and Onion Gravy
$21 Grilled Striped Bass with Rustic Pumpkin Puree, Caramelized Chicory,
and Herb Salad
$18 Braised Guineau Fowl with Roasted Root Vegetables and Fennel Puree
$15 Grass Fed Hamburger with Aged Cheddar, House Fries and Mclure’s Pickles
$21 Short Ribs with Baked Sweet Potato, Satur Farm Stir Fried Greens

Sides $8
Cauliflower Cheese
Bubble & Squeak
Creamy Leeks
Pumpkin Mash
House Fries with Bloody Mary Ketchup

Puddings $10
Battered Mars Bar and Vanilla Ice Cream
Plum Crumble with Clotted Cream
Pumpkin Meringue Pie

Brinkley’s, 406 Broome St., nr. Centre St.; 212-680-5600

Brinkley’s on the Brink: Your Very First Look at the Menu