Whisking in the Mustard: Brassica pops up for good in JP (Originally posted 2/17)

 

After bringing new ideas to new venues through a series of popular pop-up eateries, the dynamic duo behind the Whisk Pop-Up Team (i.e., Zagat 30 Under 30 honorees Phillip Kruta and Jeremy Kean) have finally found a place to call home (at least for the time being).

Located just across from the Forest Hills MBTA station, Brassica (whose website is still http://fazendaboston.com, in honor of the venue’s previous resident, our own Fazenda Coffee Roasters, who are now at www.fazendacoffee.com), maintains and encourages the talented team’s desire and ability to offer multiple flavors by offering the neighborhood (and the many who come from far and wide to follow their favorite chefs) two distinct dining possibilities. From 6 AM to 4 PM weekdays and 8 AM – 4 PM on weekends, Brassica offers Fazenda coffees (including their latest select blends) and a chest full of teas, as well as home-made pastries including glistening donuts, Breton-ese Kouign Amman and homemade Pop Tarts, and sandwiches that range from an egg-citing breakfast on brioche and smoked salmon (aka lox) on a bagel to perhaps the best crispy chicken in the region and a grilled cheese with home-fermented kimchee. After closing up for a spell to rearrange the furniture (much of which has been handcrafted by the chefs), the venue reopens as a swanky evening spot, complete with live music and a full bar. Among the locally-sourced dishes served on locally-sourced dishes are an eggplant caponata and/or liver mousse on toast, maple and lemon Brussel sprouts, yams with coconut rice, banh mi cauliflower, full banh mi, homemade Bolognese, the Brassica burger with smoked green tomato and “special” sauce, and a seafood run that includes scallops, trout, octopus and oysters that can be had for a buck a shuck Wednesday nights. Cocktails range from the aquavit and pickled apple Carawhey Collins and the house made Vermouths (available straight or with soda) to the Milagro tequila and rhubarb soda combo known as Rude Barbara and the Ancho reyes, Pisco and Pimms Blimp. To finish it off (though you will not want to), Brassica offers s’mores crème brulee, chocolate Bavarian tart, and other sweet delights that send guests home happy and keep them coming back.

So while Philip and Jeremy may have decided to stay put for a bit, there is apparently no slowing them down as their home combines neighborhood charm with downtown flair and a menu and venue that pack as much creativity as a can possibly fit (and more).