Nightingale 9 Makes Way For Sans, A New Vegan Eatery On Smith Street

Many in the neighborhood were a bit surprised when Nightingale Nine suddenly closed its doors at 329 Smith Street a few weeks ago. The Vietnamese restaurant, founded by chef Robert Newton and partner Kerry Diamond, had been one of the more popular places in Carroll Gardens.

Reader Tim reached out to say:
"I will miss Nightingale 9 and Wilma Jean. I am surprised the people running these place didn't sell what seemed to be successful businesses rather than shutting them down. Do you know the reasons why?"

Emmanuelle, another Carroll Gardens reader, wrote:
"Do you have any insight on what happened to the Pho place on Smith Street by Carroll Park? They shuttered down without any “vacation sign”
or without a farewell to the community. Twitter, Fb, Instagram etc. : as if nothing happened. When you call, message says that they’re closed for a vacation but says nothing about reopening. A new logo has appeared on the front with the word “Sans”. Sans what? Cuisine sans beurre? Fermeture sans management? Sans rien dire?"

SANS, a new vegan restaurant from Champ Jones, the former sous-chef of Eleven Madison Park, did indeed just opened its doors in Nightingale 9's space, The  eatery is currently offering a $65 five course tasting menu, that can be paired with wine for an additional $45.

According to Eater, "Jones has partnered with longtime colleague Robert Newton, chef and owner of the now-closed Nightingale Nine and Seersucker restaurants, for a short-term “residency” of sorts. The restaurant will be a one-year project, Jones tells Eater, a way to test drive the menu specializing in dishes using ingredients only derived from plants."

In the meantime, those who miss Rob Newton's food, will have to travel South. The Arkansas native just became the executive chef at Gray & Dudley in Nashville.  Luckily,  Kerry Diamond continues to run Smith Canteen,  the wonderful coffee place on the same Carroll Gardens block as the new Sans.

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Closing Time For Pita Grill On Smith Street

A small handwritten sign in the window of Pita Grill at 329 Smith Street simply said: " We are closed."
A quick look through the window explained why. The entire kitchen has been ripped out. Sinks and stoves had been moved into the main dining room and the tables are stacked up on one side.
The closing does not come as a surprise. The restaurant ( complete with kitchen) has been for sale through Awaye Realty for $ 179,000. Besides, the place was mostly empty, though the few times I was in there, the food was all right.
Does anyone have more detail?

FYI: Before it was Pita Grill, the place was a Chinese food restaurant. Then someone plowed a car into the store front and the space stayed empty for a long time.
When I first moved to Carroll Gardens about 24 years ago, it was a liquor store.
Can anyone go back even further?

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