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'Fine Dining' Bar to Open in Carroll Gardens

By Nikhita Venugopal | November 21, 2014 8:48am
 Travel Bar is located at 520 Court St. in Carroll Gardens.
Travel Bar
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CARROLL GARDENS — A neighborhood bar with a “fine dining” feel is opening its doors in Carroll Gardens early next month.

“Travel Bar” is named after owner Michael Vacheresse’s love of travel and his drink-mixing cases that are perched on the bar’s shelves.

“I’ve owned a travel bar since 1988,” said Vacheresse, 46, referring to the portable box that can be used to carry bottles of alcohol, glasses, stirrers and openers.

The bar will take over the former location of Italian eatery Old School Brooklyn at 520 Court St. between Nelson and Huntington streets. 

Vacheresse, who has worked as a bartender for two decades, has poured drinks at some of the city’s top restaurants, including Gotham Bar and Grill and BLT Steak. He also served as the head bartender at Bar Masa.

After spending the last three years as a stay-at-home dad, the Carroll Gardens resident decided to open his own bar.

“It’s a fine dining bar without the ‘fine dining’ dining room attached,” said Vacheresse, who handpicked the bar’s spirit selection and is also developing a cocktail menu.

“It’s all about service. It’s all about comfort,” he said, adding that most of the bar’s team, including its chef Andrei Bolik, has a background in fine dining.

The bar’s travel theme is portrayed through photographs from Vacheresse’s trips throughout the world. While working as a bartender, he spent time biking and backpacking through Europe, Southeast Asia and Ireland, he said.

A food menu features small and large plates including cheese and charcuterie boards, sandwiches, soups and a selection of grilled and roasted vegetables like beets, brussel sprouts, squash and sweet potatoes.

Beers will be priced about $7 to $15, wines from $9 to $15 a glass and cocktails at $10 to $12.