Open for Business: Kiwiana, 847 Union Street

As of 6 PM yesterday, Top Chef contestant (and Park Slope resident's) Kiwiana opened up on Union Street just west of Seventh Avenue.

If you were there last night, let me know what you thought! I'll be trying the food there soon, but if the meanwhile you can see the menu here, and an interview with the chef along with some foodporn here.

Kiwiana, 847 Union Street Brooklyn NY 11215. Phone: 718-230-3682.

Open for Business: Rivet, 103 Seventh Avenue

A new clothing boutique for men and women opened on Friday in the space last occupied by Area Kids, on Seventh Avenue between Union and President Streets.

It's a small but well-curated shop, and the buyer herself can usually be found behind the counter. "I would best describe this merchandise as 'cozy chic'," she told me. "These clothes are fashionable, but comfortable. I don't like tight-fitting clothes, so these won't pigeonhole you into any specific look. It appeals to a wide age range, especially mothers, and the colors are neutral."

That said, the bulk of the clothing in stock is upwards of $150. Premium denim jeans from Adriano Goldschmid run at around that price, and for men collared shirts from John Varvatos are sold alongside Alternative Apparel t-shirts, which run about $35.

For women, a good assortment of jeans are next to silk blouses by Joie, light sweaters, $20 scarves, and a small collection of shoes.

One-on-one customer service is also a priority. "Most mothers aren't sure of their jean size right after they give birth," the buyer told me. "We'll figure out your size post-baby, help you find the exact right pair of jeans, and hem it for you."

Rivet, 103 7th Avenue Brooklyn NY 11215.

Open for Business: Purbird, 82 Sixth Avenue

Purbird, the restaurant that can best be described as "chicken-centric," opened last night on the highly visible corner of Sixth Avenue and St. Marks Avenue, just off Flatbush.

Run by the husband and wife duo of Peter and Christina Lekkas, who also run Greek restaurant Elia in Bay Ridge, the restaurant, which was eight years in the making, was insipired by Christina's inability to find a decent grilled chicken.

"With rotisserie chicken, the breast is usually dried out, and you need to eat it at exactly the right time," she said. "We brine it so it stays juicy, de-bone it, and then flame-grill it flat so it cooks evenly."

The all-natural, free-range chicken ($8.95 for half) comes from Wellington Farms, and as the centerpiece of the menu, it's juicy and flavorful, and finished with a little olive oil, lemon, and oregano.

Joining the chicken on the brief menu are a chicken thigh wrap ($6.25), chicken burger (which goes very well with the zucchini raita), $5.50, chicken sausage ($5.75), and an empanada-style "chicken pie" ($4), filled with creamy chicken pot pie filling.

There's also a large variety of creative homemade sauces like chipotle, roasted lemon and parsley, and quince chutney, a few salads, sides including jalapeno mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach, and (very good) fries. Ice cream comes from Blue Marble, and bread is from Staten Island-based Royal Crown Bakery.

It's not a waiter-service restaurant; you order at the counter, and if you're dining in you can grab a seat at one of the 30 indoor or 20 outdoor seats. It's a casual place, the owners are friendly and willing to chat, and you can tell that they're very excited about what they've created (and they understand what brought down the space's predecessor, Helios; Peter was involved when it opened but left after becoming unhappy with the way it was run).

With such a small, focused menu, it's clear that the Lekkas ascribe to the "do one thing and do it well" philosophy. When you realize that the closest competition was the now-closed, mediocre Chickadee Chick, it becomes apparent that food of this quality, while simple, is a major step up, and a continuation of the foodie-centric movement that's swept the neighborhood in the past year.

Hours: Mon-Thu: 12 PM - 9 PM, Fri-Sat: 12 PM - 10 PM, Sun 11 AM- 8 PM. Delivery will begin in two weeks.

Purbird Brooklyn, 82 Sixth Avenue Brooklyn NY 11217. Phone: 718-857-2473.

Cozbi Handmade Goodness Opening This Weekend on Fifth

As reported here a month ago, Cozbi, a women and children's boutique from Honduran designer/ children's book illustrator Cozbi  A. Cabrera, is coming to Fifth Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Streets, and it looks like all systems are go for a grand opening this weekend.

While her now-closed Court Street location was focused primarily on muñecas, "one-of-a-kind fabric dolls with delicately painted faces and hand-dyed dresses," this storefront will emphasize dresses, skirts,  and outerwear for women and children, handmade in Brooklyn for Cabrera's own clothing line.

Cozbi Park Slope, 351 Fifth Avenue Brooklyn NY 11215.

Open For Business: Bareburger, 170 Seventh Avenue

As promised on Tuesday, Brooklyn's first branch of mini-chain Bare Burger opened at 5 PM yesterday on the corner of Seventh Avenue and First Street, and will be open from 11 AM-11 PM every day going forward.

If you've spent any time on their website, you'll know that this isn't just your run-of-the-mill burger joint. The meat is all-natural, free range, and hormone-and antibiotic-free, and lower in fat than most other burgers (the lean-to-fat ratio of the beef is 88-12, as opposed to Cheeburger's 75-25, for example). The six-ounce burger patties aren't beef-only, either. Lamb, elk, bison, turkey, ostrich, grilled chicken, veggie, and portabella are all available, with a large variety of toppings and buns, including a gluten-free tapioca rice bun.

I opted for the most traditional offering as a starting point, the Original Bareburger (above, $8.95), which came topped with colby jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, raw onion, and "special cauce," which tasted like a mix of barbecue sauce and mayo, on a brioche bun. The patty was cooked to medium as requested (the lower fat ratio, which cuts down on the juiciness, almost necessitates that), it had great char from the flat-top, and the high quality of the beef came through in the taste. I'll be back to try the much-lauded lamb burger, which is topped with tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and cucumber.

And while yes, you could get a portabella mushroom in a lettuce wrap, there are plenty of options for the non-health-conscious, like the Bareburger Supreme, which comes topped with cheese, bacon, fries, onion rings, lettuce, and special sauce. The Ruby Burger has pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss, tomato, and special sauce (Gotta love the "Recommended with Elk" tag on that one, too).

There's also a quality beer and wine list, with pints of Lion's Head going for $3.50 (add a few of these to the Supreme, and you can tell there's a push here for the late night weekend crowd).

The "all-natural" approach carries over into the 40-seat space, as well. Tables are crafted from storm-salvaged wood, chairs from recycled Coke bottles, the floor from bamboo, the ceiling from an old barn, and custom lighting fixtures from milk bottles and silverware.

There are so many options to choose from, I think I'll have to go back a few times to work my way through the menu. Take-out service will begin on Saturday, and delivery in two weeks.

Bareburger Park Slope, 170 7th Avenue Brooklyn NY 11215. Phone: 718-768-BARE (2273).