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Rusty Mackerel Owners Reopen Restaurant as Comfort Food Spot

 Bistro 209 opened last month in the space once occupied by Rusty Mackerel.
Bistro 209 Opens in Rusty Mackerel Space
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HUDSON HEIGHTS — The owners of a popular Uptown restaurant that closed abruptly in October 2014 are breathing new life into the space.

Bistro 209, at 209 Pinehurst Ave., opened in mid-June in the location that was formerly the Rusty Mackerel.

The restaurant is under the same ownership team of Frank McHugh and William Rodriguez, who also own local businesses Frank’s Market and Vines on Pine, though the pair has made some major changes.

They brought a new chef on board, Steven Giambrone, according to the restaurant’s website. He previously worked at gourmet pizzeria Donatella in Chelsea, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Bistro 209’s website describes the restaurant’s focus as “American comfort” food. The menu includes starters such as latkes with spiced apple sauce, hearty meatballs and Pigs in a Blanket; entrees like New York strip steak and bread crumb-topped mac and cheese; and, of course, burgers.

This is a shift away from Rusty Mackerel’s menu, which featured American food with Spanish and Dominican influences, such as seared octopus with Romesco sauce and a burger served chimi-style alongside yucca fries.

"It is a much more simple menu," McHugh said.

He added that the changes were made in response to feedback they heard from customers, including local parents who said they'd appreciate a more relaxed, family-friendly venue. 

"Rusty had a phenomenal menu, [but] it was hard to eat there seven nights a week," he said. "We are trying to do something so you can go on a more regular basis."

Starters at the new restaurant come in around $9, while entrees range from $16 to $28. The burgers — of which there are a few different kinds, including a vegetarian-friendly one — will set customers back about $15.

The prices are also about 20 percent lower at Bistro 209 than they were at the Rusty Mackerel, McHugh said.

The eatery also serves wine and a selection of craft beers.

McHugh said that customers' reactions so far have been largely positive. He noted that the restaurant is still a work in progress and that customers may see some changes to the menu in the next few weeks.

He hopes Bistro 209 will become a place with regular customers from the neighborhood.

"My overall vision for the business is to have it become a success and a neighborhood institution like my other two businesses," he said." I've been in business in Washington Heights for over 30 years... everything we do we do to make the neighborhood a better place to live."