Rare Earth Coming Soon To Former Melt Space On Bergen Street

After much speculation about what might take over the former Melt space at 440 Bergen Street, which closed in the fall of last year for renovations (according to signs in the window) which immediately followed a failed health inspection, we’ve finally gotten a glimpse of the restaurant that may be opening as early as this week, and no, it’s not the reincarnation of City Sub, or our first J. Crew, but it will be pretty familiar.

Menus have been hung in the window announcing the new restaurant and bar, called Rare Earth, and though there’s not much information about it currently available online, a neighbor spotted former Melt owner Muguette Siem A Sjoe out front, who we’ve spoken with over email and who has confirmed she’s behind it. She tells us the space has been transformed, and that it “will soon be revealed, in the next few days to come.”

The menu says it’s “inspired by nature,” and it’s broken up into sections including “ocean,” “earth,” and “land,” and of course, the all-important element of “brunch.” Dishes include handmade peekytoe crab raviolo with garlic scapes and sugar snap peas for $20; gluten-free, handmade buckwheat cavatelli pasta with roasted corn, dandelion greens, and a truffle vinaigrette for $19; porchetta with English peas for $12; and a dessert called a chocolate earthquake for $10. The brunch menu includes a chicken and waffle for $12, and there’s a kids menu with items like a mini burger or pea raviolo for $9, which includes a popsicle.

The menu also says they’ll offer lunch soon, and that they’ll have late-night hours — perhaps a nice option for those hungry and heading out of a game or a show at nearby Barclays.

Dinner hours will be 5-10pm, late night 10pm-midnight and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and brunch from 10am-4pm.

Muguette says she’ll let us know when they plan to open, so we’ll keep you posted.