GREENPOINT — A traditional Polish street sandwich is getting a gourmet twist at a new Manhattan Avenue eatery by replacing its usual dressing with an aromatic addition.
Early, which opened last week at 967 Manhattan Ave., is dishing up its signature mushroom-and-cheese zapiekanka with a drizzle of truffle oil rather than its classic condiment of ketchup.
The open-face sandwich, which is found all throughout Poland, is "food for the masses," said Early owner Radek Kucharski.
But the $8 version at his shop, called the Zappie, will be a little more upscale.
"Back in Poland, we never had truffle oil on top of it," Kucharski said. "We added it for the flavor and aroma on it. This is our only twist."
The Zappie is a simple sandwich, he explained, but it nonethless takes a long time to make.
First, white mushrooms, garlic and onion are chopped into small pieces and tossed with olive oil, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
Then, the mixture is baked for 30 minutes to an hour, with someone monitoring it every 10 minutes to check for even cooking.
Once it's done, the mixture is put on a baguette, which is then topped with fontina cheese and put back in the oven.
FInally, chives and truffle oil are added before serving, Kucharski said.
At Early, they still offer ketchup on the side for those who want to eat the sandwich in the more traditional way.
"It takes time to make it," he said, "but at the end of the process, it's worth it."
Early also serves a variety of other sandwiches, including pulled pork with pickled jalapenos, pepper-crusted ground beef, and lemon garlic chicken salad.
At breakfast, the eatery offers egg sandwiches on brioche buns or croissants, including one with goat cheese, chives, sprouts, avocado and red pepper flakes.
Prices range between $8 and $10.
The shop also features vegan pastries and coffee from Toby's Estate.
Kucharski, a Polish immigrant who has been working as an electrian for years, said it's been his dream to open the restaurant and wants each sandwich to taste top notch.
"We put in the time to make sure the flavor and quality is good," he said. "Everything is really fresh."
In other local business news:
► Michelin-star winning chef Missy Robbins will open an Italian restaurant in Williamsburg this summer with Matt Kliegman, who co-owns The Smile and Black Seed Bagels, according to The New York Times.
The new spot at 567 Union Ave., called Lilia, will be more casual and less pricey than her old home at A Voce, she told Grub Street.
"We want to be a fabric of the neighborhood," she said.
► Bushwick bar and restaurant Forrest Point, at 970 Flushing Ave., has launched a "secret" burger menu.
Local burger lovers can ask for four different off-menu burgers, including The Jefferson (topped with waffle fries, jalapenos and house sauce), The Old MacDonald (topped with a fried egg, pulled pork and caramelized onions), The Louie (topped with bacon fries, caramelized onions and barbecue sauce) and The Duplex (double patties and double toppings).
Prices range between $9 and $13.
► A frozen yogurt place is replacing a shoe store on Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick.
Fruitti Yummi, which has locations in Pennsylvania and in Ridgewood, will open at 444 Knickerbocker Ave. in two months, according to a sign at the location.
The shop offers frozen yogurt and more than 45 toppings, including fruits, syrups, boba and cheesecake bites.
