RED HOOK — A tiny Red Hook restaurant is switching gears by adding a new chef, a new menu and a entirely new concept.
Grindhaus, which opened last year at 275 Van Brunt St., is returning to what owner Erin Norris said was her original intention for the restaurant — an accessible neighborhood spot that serves “comfort food.”
The eatery, which will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Dec. 5, brought in Carole Greenwood last month, a James Beard award nominee who has owned and worked in restaurants in Washington, D.C. and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Greenwood has revamped Grindhaus’ menu to include items like dry-aged ribeye steak, white cheddar and horseradish fondue, a “cheap date” Sunday special with steak and a bottle of wine for $75 and a Monday night deal with spaghetti and meatballs and a glass of wine for $21.
The eatery earned two stars from the New York Times while former chef Aaron Taber ran the kitchen, serving a menu that featured small plates with an exotic selection of meats and produce, Norris said.
In that time, Grindhaus became a “special occasion place” rather than “a neighborhood joint,” she added.
“It didn’t match what we set out to do,” Norris said. “[Grindhaus is] not fancy.”
Now she has a supply of to-go boxes for customers who can’t finish the sizable portions of food. She is also planning to host a few “pay-what-you-feel” nights with a fixed menu.
Grindhaus finally opened last year after a five-year wait. Norris had initially hoped to open a sausage parlor at the 20-seat space but the Van Brunt Street address was too small for the meat-making operation.
However, Greenwood’s new menu is closer to Norris’ original concept.
“It’s just going back to what it was supposed to be,” she said.
