Openings

First Look at the Black Swan, Bed-Stuy’s ‘Sophisticated’ Gastropub

Photo: Linnea Covington

A onetime Bed-Stuy auto shop has morphed, fairy-tale style, into the Black Swan. Ornella Pather, who owns the bar with her husband Sureshan, describes it as a gastropub, “only more sophisticated.” While preparing for tonight’s 5 p.m. grand opening, she told us, “There was nothing around here. We thought, Why not open a place where we would want to go?” The menu, created by former Brown Betty Café chef Cynthia Walker, includes burgers, steak, fried oysters, chicken wings, and charcuterie. Starting this Saturday, there’ll be brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (dishes range from $8 to $17). There are sixteen beers on tap, a handful of bottles, one cask-conditioned beer, and local and organic spirits. Take a look at the Pathers’ elegant rookie effort above and below — in addition to the seating seen here, there’s a small outdoor smoking area.


Black Swan, 1048 Bedford Ave., nr. Lafayette Ave.; Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; 718-783-4744

First Look at the Black Swan, Bed-Stuy’s ‘Sophisticated’