BOERUM HILL — A sandwich shop with an Asian twist is heading to Smith Street this month.
Red Star Sandwich Shop will open its doors July 24 at 176 Smith St., at Warren Street, as a “fast casual” eatery that combines American and Asian flavors, owners said.
Diners can expect original creations like a BLT with slab bacon marinated in Miso sauce, a Korean fried chicken sandwich and a vegetarian option with tofu eggplant tempura, shiitake marmalade and mayonnaise.
“The idea is [to] take bold Asian flavors and incorporate them into American flavors,” said Johnson Ho, 28.
Ho, who previously worked as a corporate lawyer, is opening the restaurant with his brother, Gibson, 26, who graduated from the French Culinary Institute and has worked in the restaurant industry for the last few years.
The name “Red Star” comes from their family’s restaurant equipment and supply company in Chinatown, where the brothers grew up.
To bring a sense of authenticity to the restaurant, the brothers will also serve snacks and beverages from their childhood, like guava- and mango-flavored juice boxes and shrimp chips.
Along with sandwiches, Red Star will be serving side salads, quick eats including tater tots, and treats from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. They hope to add a beer and wine license to the eatery in the coming months.
Red Star will host a soft opening for the public on July 20.
Other openings in the neighborhood include:
► A new café is opening in Carroll Gardens next month with sweet and savory crepes, paninis, Belgian waffles and gelato. The Park Bench Café, to be located at 489 Court St., is slated to open in early August, said Nancy Settecasi, who owns the restaurant with her son, Vincent.
The park-themed café will be “rustic-looking” with park benches and lamp posts decorating the space.
