Kiwiana Is Open!

Photo by Tom Callan / The Brooklyn PaperTop Chef runner up and New Zealand native Mark Simmons opened his new restaurant Kiwiana yesterday! 

I can't wait to catch a glimpse of the handsome chef and try his Lavender goats’ milk ricotta cheese cake with roasted golden beets ($8).

If anyone goes this week let me know how it is! I'm in Massachusetts hanging out with American dogs and eating plain, store-bought cheesecake, otherwise I'd be there.

Kiwiana is located at 847 Union Street between 6th and 7th ave (718) 230-3682.

Hot New Zealand Chef To Open Restaurant in the Slope!

Photo via chefmarksimmons.com

With the 2009 departure of Flight of the Conchord's Bret and Jermaine, we've been aching for another large presence from Down Under for quite a while. Hold your breaths no longer, Brooklyn! Former Top Chef contestant and handsome New Zealand native Mark Simmons will be opening a restaurant in the Slope within the next few weeks.

Set in the old Lucas Fine Foods on Union between 6th and 7th Ave, Kiwiana will feature dishes from Simmons' homeland, such as Diver scallops with cauliflower and bacon ragout and passion fruit sauce ($18) and Lavender goats’ milk ricotta cheese cake with roasted golden beets ($8). Here's a sample menu that was featured on Zagat:

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