the buzz

“Going South in Brooklyn with SoCo”

Comfort food is something we can’t seem to get enough of these days. Who can blame us? A tasty gooey mac-and-cheese or pie filled with fresh berries is not something to turn down. In Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, the newest place to check out is SoCo, which just opened this week.
 
The folks behind SoCo — Peter Best, Malissa Browne and Sim Walker, who worked on the popular Negril Village — are describing the menu as “Southern Fused” with roots in traditional flavors of southern food. The space, with a 20-foot bar in the front and dotted with Edison light bulbs, is filled with casual wood dining tables, dark gray banquets and in back there is an elevated banquet that is also a performance space for live music.

They hired executive chef Kingsley John (who’s worked at Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, Oya in D.C. and Aquavit in New York) to create the menu. His food not only embraces southern comfort favorites but adds touches of Cajun, Creole, barbecue and soul food. You could start off with an appetizer of BBQ shrimp gumbo with Andouille sausage, seasonal vegetables and a spicy seafood broth ($9). From there you could either go with a classic buttermilk fried chicken that’s paired with a red velvet waffle ($16) or a fancier lobster, shrimp and grits dish in a spicy tomato broth and creamy white cheddar grits ($22). Favorites like smoked corn on the cob ($4) and warm sweet potato pie with homemade vanilla bean ice cream ($7) are also available. And when you’re thirsty, mixologist George Duval has classic cocktails like a basil bourbon julep ($10) or you can be more adventurous by sampling the absinthe selection.
 
For now SoCo is open for dinner but lunch and brunch are coming soon. Share your two cents with us if you try this place out. Enjoy!
 
SoCo is located at 509 Myrtle Ave. (between Grand Ave. and Ryerson St.) in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn; 718-783-1936; www.socobk.com.
 
— Bao Ong

Share ! Post a comment