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1920s-Inspired Diner Coming to Greenpoint, Owner Says

 Hail Mary, a new diner inspired by soda fountains and diners of decades past is coming to Greenpoint.
Hail Mary, a new diner inspired by soda fountains and diners of decades past is coming to Greenpoint.
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GREENPOINT — While decades old diners are shutting down right and left, a there's a brand 1920s-inspired restaurant coming to North Brooklyn, featuring dolled up diner fare with homemade pastries, home-cured deli meats and hot dogs and signature sodas.

Hail Mary, a brand new, yet decidedly retro eatery inspired by diners and soda fountains of decades past, is slated to open at 68 Greenpoint Ave. by the end of the month, its owners confirmed in a phone conversation Monday.

The restaurant will, "combine the casual, retro ambiance fom early New York and New Jersey diners with modern cooking techniques and polished Manhattan service," according to papers filed with the community board in late April.

Drawing inspiration from diner fare and vintage cocktail parties, combined with with modern gourmet flair, the menu will feature an hors d'oeuvres platter, with deviled egg dip, cocktail hearts, chicken fried beef tongue, Bolivian-style hot dogs and Matzo ball soup with duck foie gras.

On the dessert spectrum, Hail Mary will peddle their own interpretation of classic sweets, like cardamom and pistachio butter cups, saffron and honey Twinkies, Nutella and dark chocolate Twix, and cashew snickers bars.

And for soda lovers, they'll be fizzing up egg creams, homemade sodas, shakes and malts.

Unlike most diners that are known for their round the clock service, Hail Mary closes after midnight or 1 a.m., depending on the day.

The husband and wife team behind Hail Mary - Ham El-Waylly and Sohla El-Waylly — met while studying at the Culinary Institute of America, according to liquor license papers. 

Since their studies, Sohla's worked as a pastry chef Atera and Momofuku. Ham came from cooking and managing restaurants at the Empellon Restaurant Group.

Hail Mary will open by the end of May at 68 Greenpoint Ave.