Openings

Brooklyn’s Brand-New Grand Army Looks Like an Ideal Neighborhood Bar

East Coast oysters with accouterments: classic mignonettes, cocktail sauce, green curry, jerk sauce, and citrus.
East Coast oysters with accouterments: classic mignonettes, cocktail sauce, green curry, jerk sauce, and citrus. Photo: Melissa Hom

When Mile End’s Noah Bernamoff felt like he didn’t have an ideal neighborhood bar in Boerum Hill, he decided to open one of his own — and call up a few of his talented friends for help. Bernamoff, master bartender Damon Boelte, Rucola’s Julian Brizzi, and food photographer Daniel Krieger have together launched Grand Army, which offers a little bit of everything. “We have great cocktails, but it’s not a cocktail bar,” Bernamoff says. “We have great wine, but it’s not a wine bar. We have great beer, but it’s not a craft brewery.”

The initial plan was to have the food program be simple and straightforward — oysters, raw fish — but when former wd~50 chef Jon Bignelli came on board, the concept evolved. “He has increased the ambition,” Bernamoff says. “The project migrated a bit from being strictly an oyster bar to being an oyster bar with great food.” You can expect dishes like seared octopus with celeriac, boquerones, and a soft poached egg over clam broth and fava beans. Take a look:

American Royal Zephyr: bonded bourbon, cocchi americano rosa, ango, orange and peychauds bitters, sparkling water.
American Royal Zephyr: bonded bourbon, cocchi americano rosa, ango, orange and peychauds bitters, sparkling water. Photo: Melissa Hom
Asparagus with smoked egg yolk, fennel vin, aged pecorino, and bonito flakes.
Asparagus with smoked egg yolk, fennel vin, aged pecorino, and bonito flakes. Photo: Melissa Hom
Smoked shrimp toast with pickled ramps, zucchini, and watercress, on She Wolf Bakery's sesame sourdough.
Smoked shrimp toast with pickled ramps, zucchini, and watercress, on She Wolf Bakery’s sesame sourdough. Photo: Melissa Hom
Arrowhead LTD: mezcal, campari, carpano antica Italian vermouth, and IPA.
Arrowhead LTD: mezcal, campari, carpano antica Italian vermouth, and IPA. Photo: Melissa Hom
Avua amburana aged cachaca, carpano bianco vermouth, giffard banane du bresil, and fresh lime juice.
Avua amburana aged cachaca, carpano bianco vermouth, giffard banane du bresil, and fresh lime juice. Photo: Melissa Hom
Matthew Maddy and Nico Arze of American Construction League designed and built the space.
Matthew Maddy and Nico Arze of American Construction League designed and built the space. Photo: Melissa Hom
Paul Bright curated the art.
Paul Bright curated the art. Photo: Melissa Hom

Menu [PDF]

Grand Army, 336 State St. (at Hoyt Street), 718-422-7867

Brooklyn’s Brand-New Grand Army Looks Like an Ideal Neighborhood Bar