QUEENS — Rove, a restaurant and bar serving new American cuisine along with local wines and beers, has just joined the ever-expanding Forest Hills dining scene.
The eatery, at 72-27 Austin St., replaced Bonfire Grill which closed in February and is run by the owners of the popular wine bar Jack & Nellie’s on nearby Ascan Avenue.
With its dark floors and tables and dim light, the restaurant seeks to resemble "a country house," or “a little cottage in the woods,” said Eve Gagnon, one of the owners.
Gagnon described the menu as “upscale comfort food” featuring dishes which people had while “sitting at the dinner table” with their families.
Among the best selling items are pork buns ($12), filet mignon bruschetta ($13) and crusted chicken with grilled zucchini and carrot mashed potatoes ($19), the owners said.
Also on the menu are burgers, sandwiches and salads as well as a number of sides like creamed spinach, string beans and crispy mashed potatoes.
Main course options also include blackened tilapia ($21) and NY sirloin steak ($23).
The menu will soon be expanded as the restaurant is also planning to start serving brunch on weekends.
Rove's alcohol selection consists mostly of local craft beers, wines and gins.
“We are not going mainstream with our liquor," said co-owner Cyril Burke. "We are trying to help small business along with us.”
Most of the wines are from the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York The gins are from Greenhook Ginsmiths in Greenpoint and the beers come from various local breweries, including Queens Brewery, Staten Island’s Flagship Brewing Company and Braven Brewing Company in Bushwick.
The bar also features three large TV screens. While the venue plans to show all the major sporting events, the owners emphasized that Rove is not a sports bar.
Their goal, they said, is to create a place where people “feel comfortable.”
