KarVér Brasserie & Bakery Cafe Announces New Culinary Director And New Locations

SHEEPSHEAD BAY/DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN – KarVér, the European-style brasserie and cafe that debuted at 1809 Emmons Avenue last summer announced some big news this week.

The eatery offers New York-sourced European-inspired brasserie fare, freshly baked breakfast and lunch options, as well as expertly brewed local coffees and teas at its spacious 4,800-square-foot Sheepshead Bay location.

On Tuesday, the KarVér restaurant group announced that it has appointed the James Beard Award winning chef, Francois Payard, as its new Culinary Director.

A renowned pastry chef, Payard honed his skills in Paris before moving to New York City where he served as Pastry Chef at Le Bernardin and Daniel. He has won many awards including the “Ordre du Mérite Agricole” by the French Government and has been named “Pastry Chef of the Year” by Bon Appetit and the James Beard Foundation. Joining Payard at KarVér as Executive Chef will be Byron Panafiel, formerly of Le Bilboquet, BLT Steak, BLT Fish, and Buddakan.

KarVér will debut its new Payard-helmed menu on Friday, featuring Pissaladière (carmelized onion tart), twice-baked cheese soufflé, housemade terrine, Escargots à la Bourguignonne, Duck Confit, Moules Frites, Croque Monsieur, and Croissant Benedict.

The café will offer baked treats including danishes, croissants, fruit tarts, and eclairs and showcase a Bongard Paneotrade machine that bakes fresh bread every ten minutes for customizable sandwiches.

KarVér also announced that it will open two new locations in the coming weeks in Brooklyn and Manhattan. A new 2,000-square-foot Downtown Brooklyn location is slated to open in February while a 7,000-square-foot Chelsea flagship will open in March.

Earlier this week, it was reported that all three Payard Bakery locations in NYC will shutter. Payard launched the bakery chain approximately a decade ago and resigned as Executive Chef in 2016, according to Eater.