Brooklyn, NY (July 2011) - So jazzy! So Brooklyn! So SoCo! That's the best way to describe Clinton Hill's originalSouthern Fused cuisine restaurant, SoCo (509 Myrtle Avenue, between Grand Avenue and Ryerson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11205; 718.783.1963; (www.socobk.com). SoCo is making its mark on the Brooklyn dining scene with sensational "Southern Comfort" from the food to the ambience and aura. SoCo's Executive Chef Kingsley John (Charlie Trotter's, Chicago; Oya, Washington DC; Aquavit, NYC) has created a menu that encompasses Cajun/Creole, barbecue and soul food, ready to be paired with Mixologist, or Humble Barkeep George Duval's innovative bar program. SoCo is certain to be a game changer in the Brooklyn dining scene, bringing a new level of cuisine to the up-and-coming Myrtle Avenue neighborhood.

SoCo's menu, while staying true to the flavors of southern food, breaks all misconceptions about the genre.

Unique appetizers include BBQ Shrimp Gumbo with Andouille sausage, seasonal vegetables and spicy seafood broth ($9); SoCo Baby Back Ribs with Asian BBQ Sauce ($11); and Nola's Steamed Mussels with Habanero cream ($9). For the main course, John offers delicious Buttermilk Fried Chicken with red velvet waffle ($16); Lobster, Shrimp & Grits with spicy tomato broth and country creamy white cheddar grits ($22); and Blackened Salmon with roasted plantain and smoked asparagus ($18). Savory Sides include Mac and Cheese ($7) and Smoked Corn on the Cob ($4). For Dessert, guests can choose between sweets, such as Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding with hot caramel sauce ($7), and Warm Sweet Potato Pie with homemade vanilla bean ice cream ($7). 

Duval's exciting bar program takes a modern approach to classic cocktails, and includes an outstanding Absinthe program using flavored sugar cubes and water substitutes, such as Aloe Vera and Coconut Water. His Specialty Cocktails include Basil Bourbon Julep ($10); Apple Cider Mimosa ($10); and SoCo Caramel Martini ($10) with vanilla infused vodka, Bailey's caramel and toasted marshmallow. So good! SoCo also has a select wine program ($8-14/glass; $28-54/bottle) and boasts an extensive beer list ($4 tap $5 bottle) featuring over twenty brews from different American micro-breweries, as well as Boylan's Cane Soda on tap. 

SoCo is equally a cocktail bar as a restaurant with outdoor seating, as well as a live music venue. Upon entering, guests are met with a twenty foot bar anchored by structural beams used to support the six-floor story building. The space has a modern rustic look, consisting of casual wood dining tables, dark gray banquets, a caged liquor bottle display, Edison light bulbs, and a large frosted glass window illuminating images from the kitchen. In the back, an elevated banquet doubles as a performance stage for bands, playing everything from Jazz to R&B to classics, and upfront, a heightened DJ booth entertains SoCo's guests. The designer Andres Aladin describes

SoCo as "the Brooklyn Bridge turned into a restaurant." He aimed to play off of the design cues of the space and the industrial history of the neighborhood, sourcing a lot of local materials, such as hard steel. Aladin used these elements to balance between the warm walnut walls and charming exposed brick, giving the place an intimate, yet sexy feel.

SoCo is open every day for dinner, and lunch Friday through Sunday. For more information, log on to

www.socobk.com.

Make Your Dinner Reservation Here Now!