Bite Of The Day: Grilled Cheese And Cocktails At SIP Bar
In the annals of grilled cheese perfection in NYC, too many lists completely omit any Brooklyn options beyond Williamsburg, Park Slope and Bushwick. Clearly, they’re missing out.
For example, at Clinton Hill newcomer SIP Bar (14 Putnam Avenue) — which opened this past December — the Sweetie ($8.50) alone would make our list of top grilled cheese options in the borough, and the Jalapeño ($7.50) comes a close second.
Imagine: two thick slices of challah bread sandwiching creamy Wisconsin goat cheese and a fresh fig spread that combines sweet and savory in a way that transcends distinctions of “breakfast,” “lunch” or “dinner.”
Think of your taste buds lighting up at each bite of not-overly-hot green and red jalapeños that are at home with the parmigiano reggiano and Smith’s sharp aged cheddar between lightly toasted slices of sourdough bread.
And then imagine washing it all down with sips of Lynchburg Lemonade (Jack Daniels, triple sec, sour, orange juice and sprite) out of a mason jar, a glass or bottle of wine ($7-$34), Brooklyn Winter Ale ($6) or one of the dozen or so other cocktails and beers on tap.
Are you out the door yet?
“This is my baby. We wanted a place where people say they feel welcome and like they have known us for years,” explained Francisco “Cisco” Gil, who owns SIP Bar with his wife (and fellow Brooklyn native!) Erica. “At the same time, we want to elevate hospitality — we don’t want a place where you feel like you’re bothering us or the bartenders (their names are Tyler and Danny, btw).”
In addition to elevating hospitality, Cisco and Erica are also elevating the food. In addition to the grilled cheeses — other options include The American, The Caprese, The Bacon, and The Vegan — there is house-made chili (chock full of tender beef and beans; $7.50) and tomato soup (creamy, fresh and bright; $6), as well as Sip Nachos ($9.50), Bruschetta ($5) and other bites.
Everything is made on-site in the prep kitchen downstairs, with hand-shredded cheese and locally sourced bread from places like Baked In Brooklyn and Bedford Cheeses. And
Verdict: SIP Bar is the perfect go-to neighborhood year-round bar/living room for after-work drinks, watching the game, going out on a casual date, or just because. Everything is delicious, everyone is friendly, and every guest is made to feel at home.
There is also free wifi and Friday, March 13 marks the start of karaoke. Saturdays will also see the arrival of a DJ spinning old-school ’90s music (side note: oh god, when did the 90s become “old-school”?!).
SIP BAR
14 Putnam Ave.
347-529-6085
Tuesdays through Thursdays: 5pm-12am
Fridays & Saturdays: 5pm-2am
Sundays: 1-11pm