Bushwick's Phorum Now Open
A funny thing happened on the way to opening Phorum, the one-week old pan-Mediterranean restaurant on Starr Street in Bushwick. Enzo Gugliuzza and his wife Anna Maria Palmiotto, Italian natives and long-time foodie travelers, were so in love with the idea of opening a restaurant in the building they owned and lived in that they ended up building it in what had been their own living room. “I evicted myself,” said Gugliuzza, now a Queens resident.
Their loss looks like Bushwick’s gain, though, as the menu does have that labor-of-love vibe: house-made mozzarella, at least one pasta that can be tailored for vegan palates, and a couple of wine options for less than twenty dollars a bottle. With the guidance of head chef John Ciccinelli, the couple even went so far as to create some wholly original recipes themselves. A green apple and cinnamon ravioli is paired is served in a Hudson Valley duck ragu and a lamb sausage with panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritters) and mint yogurt blends Middle Eastern, Italian, and Greek cuisines.
Those dishes, along with appetizers of braised artichoke hearts in olive oil, mint, and garlic and PEI mussels with chorizo, white wine, cilantro, and smoked paprika, as well as a pork chop stuffed with spinach, asiago, and prosciutto have been the early hits. The biggest draw, however, might be the surprising affordability: no entrée is over $16 and diners can have pizza or pasta for as little as $8. (Note: the older menu on their website lists significantly higher prices.) In the age of the more profligate Rye and Walter Foods--something even Bruni commented on recently--such low prices alone may elevate Phorum to part of a holy trinity of Bushwick dining, alongside Roberta’s and Northeast Kingdom.
Phorum
50 Starr Street, Bushwick
718-417-7830
phorumonstarr.com
Comments
cheap replica watches
replica watches
Tudor watches
replica Omega watches
replica Watch Accessories
Gucci replica
replica watch
Posted by: Rolex Daytona watches | January 13, 2010 09:18 PM
the writers should check their facts. both these people are married, but not to each other. and they never lived in that building together
Posted by: john lemery | July 15, 2009 03:05 PM
Get the mushroom pot-au-feu!
Delicious!
I also like the large windows. Great for summertime eating.
Posted by: sally | July 15, 2009 11:50 AM
Had brunch and listened to live jazz. Food was great as was the atmosphere with a cool breeze coming through the large windows. A fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Posted by: Joanne | July 12, 2009 08:55 PM
they have a very cute waiter, there, too.
Posted by: sally | July 11, 2009 01:59 PM
wait they dont serve pho?
Posted by: Ben | July 9, 2009 04:25 PM
I DID eat here.Food is far better than any restaurant I ever been.These two are really serious when it comes to food. Only thing are the lights. Too bright
Posted by: alex | July 3, 2009 12:32 PM
Did you actually eat here? NOT good.
Posted by: cs | July 3, 2009 12:03 AM