The only thing we love around here more than monsters is FOOD! We are very excited to announce the opening of a new business in the Family—Café Mars: “An Unusual Italian Restaurant” in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
Newly launched this past spring, Cafe Mars is the brainchild of Paul D’Avino – husband of Leroy’s Place founder Serene Bacigalupi. His quippy and delectable dishes explore the totality of Italian cuisine–from every Italian region and beyond–and the menu is full of influences from “the port cities of North and South America to the Itameshi cuisine of Japan.”
This new Gowanus fixture–built in a one-time pasta factory and Italian grocer (across the street from Paul’s bisnonno’s former home)–has gotten so much well deserved press, including this fantastic article in The New Yorker. Writer Helen Rosner uses phrases like “confidently creative” and “devilishly good” to describe the tastes of Café Mars.
Our favorite thing about our new neighbors on 3rd Ave – besides the creators behind it – is how every visit to the restaurant is a full experience for the senses. From the unexpected flavor pairings to the neon forward, Memphis Milano designscape, Café Mars brings a lot of refreshing whimsy to the dining experience. A business model after our own hearts.
Chef Paul D’Avino
When you visit, be sure to check out the large Leroy’s Place painting! At over 4’ long, this is one of the largest and most detailed commissions that Serene Bacigalupi has done to date. She was excited to collaborate with Cafe Mars on “Unusual Italians,” exploring the humorous and eccentric sides of the classic Pulcinella character, injecting a fresh twist into a traditional narrative, perfectly aligned with the Cafe Mars vibe. Look closely for the “swandola”—a delightful fusion of a swan and a gondola—alongside the hilariously intense cocktail sword fights; and the charming chase scenes featuring mischievous “farfalleflies,” adding a layer of enchantment to the back room!
