Seems as if there’s been a minor setback for Evan Malone and Jill Weber and their plans to open Rex 1516 tonight. Despite the hitch, they told Grub yesterday that they expect to have the doors of their South Street bistro open to the public before the end of the weekend. For their follow up to Jet Wine Bar (it’s directly across the street), Malone and Weber are going for a Southern-inspired affair anchored by Chef Regis Jansen’s bill of comforty fare. Highlights include a cheese and salumi-laden farmer’s platter; mac and cheese topped with Serrano ham; and roast organic chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes. The bar boasts a small, but smart selection of sparkling, white and red wines, and craft beers. Former Adsum GM Heather Rodkey put together a cocktail list of Southern sippers, like mint juleps, Planter’s punch and Mississippi mules. Keep reading to see the full menu and drinks.
To begin
Sweet Potato Fries - roasted garlic aioli $5
Mac N Cheese - gruyere, fontina, swiss, roasted tomatoes, topped with crispy Serrano ham $7
Farmer’s Platter - cheese, fruit, cured meat MP
Fig Bruschetta - goat cheese, red wine poached figs, caramelized onion $6
Mussels - tomato, bacon, white beans & thyme, wheat ale broth $9
Crawfish Pot-Pie - 3 cheese spicy crawfish etouffee in a golden pie crust $9
Salads
Wedge - iceberg lettuce, red onions, tomato, cheddar wedge, peppercorn-dijon vinaigrette $7
Southern Caesar - chopped romaine, cornbread croutons, buttermilk dressing, shaved pecorino $8, Add Shrimp $3
Warm Spinach - candied pecans, blue cheese, bacon - apple vinaigrette $9
Arugula & Roasted Pear - toasted almonds, ricotta, maple vinaigrette $9
House - Mixed Greens, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, red onions, white balsamic-honey vinaigrette $7
Entrees
Hamburger - 8oz house grind, onion marmalade, bacon & blue $11
Seitan Meatloaf - mushroom - tomato gravy, horseradish cream sauce, frites $16
Steak - creamed spinach, caramelized onion demi-glace, crisp onions $23
Organic Chicken - root veg, buttermilk mash, chicken gravy $18
Pork Loin - stuffed with cornbread & sausage stuffing, sweet potato mash, collard greens, morel mushroom sauce $21
Salmon - pan-seared, green rice, ham hock jus $17
Cocktails
Mint Julep
Bourbon, mint, raw sugar, water
Lime Rickey
Gin, lime, angostura, club soda
Mississippi mule
Basil vodka, ginger beer, combier
Sazerac
rye, peychaud’s, raw sugar, absinthe rinse
Planter’s Punch
Dark Rum, lemon juice, angostura, Maraschino. Club soda
Elderex
Cognac, elderflower liquer, lemon juice, angostura
Wine
Sparkling
Comte de Bucques,
Alsace, France
9/41
White
Malvasia, Camparron
Toro, Spain
8/36
Pinot gris, Milbrandt
Columbia, Washington
11/50
Pardillo, Allange
Extramadura, Spain
10/45
Viognier, Crane Lake
Sonoma, California
7/32
Red
Pinot Noir, Montoya
Monterey, California
11/50
Garnacha, Flor D’Englora
Monsant, Spain
10/45
Carmenere, Haras
Maipo Valley, Chile
9/41
cab/merlot/syrah, Hedges
Columbia Valley, Washington
13/59
Earlier: Rex 1516 Opening Next Week