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Upscale Wine Bar Coming to Forest Hills

By Nigel Chiwaya | July 16, 2012 4:46pm
Jack and Nellie's is set to open in Forest Hills in August.
Jack and Nellie's is set to open in Forest Hills in August.
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DNAInfo/Nigel Chiwaya

FOREST HILLS — Just about the only thing you won't be able to do at Forest Hills' newest wine bar is watch the big game.

The lack of TVs at Jack and Nellie's, an upscale wine bar opening next month on Ascan Avenue between Austin and Burns streets, is a conscious decision made by bar owner, Cyril Burke, 45.

"There's no place like this here in Forest Hills," Burke said. "It's going to be place that you can come and chill with a nice plate of food and a glass of wine."

The bar is the latest in a selection of gourmet restaurants and stores that have opened east of 71st Avenue in Forest Hills.

In the past year, the area has seen La Boulangerie, an artisanal bakery, Mr. Vino, an upscale wine store and Bareburger, an organic burger restaurant, open their doors to the public. In addition, Cucina, a gourmet food store, will also open on Austin street later this summer.

While not catering to the TV crowd, Jack and Nellie's will serve just about everything else — offering wine and craft beers along with local brews.

The food selection will include small chefs' plates, cheeseboards, salads, charcuterie, fried oysters and little sliders.

"It'll be a step above regular bar food," Burke said. 

Burke, who has lived in Forest Hills for eight years, has noticed the trend of gourmet restaurants opening in the neighborhood.

"There's more younger people coming around and that's what they want," Burke said.

And when it opens, Burke fully expects Jack and Nellie's to join in.

"It's going to be a good neighborhood place to come where everybody knows you name," he said.