Plainview Bids 'Adieu' To Brasserie Cassis; Welcomes New Bistro

PLAINVIEW, NY — Au revoir, Brasserie Cassis, hello Craft Bar and Bistro.

The Brasserie, which had been at the Plainview Shopping Centre on South Oyster Bay Road for 16 years, is ditching its French-style name and cuisine to serve up more traditional American food. And with a new menu comes a new name.

The restaurant closed about two weeks ago and owners expect it to reopen next week, Eric Machado, director of operations at Restaurant Management Group, which operates the eatery, told Patch in a phone interview Thursday.

"We re-did the bar, we're focusing on craft cocktails, American whiskeys and some craft beers," he said.

Among the craft cocktails on the menu include bourbon infused with rosemary and a touch of honey and thyme. Machado explained that the joints craft cocktails involve house-made tinctures and aromatic bitters.

Asked why the company decided to switch from French to American, Machado said it was time for a change — and French cuisine can be an acquired taste.

"The French bistro is a little bit intimidating," he said. "Sometimes the names are intimidating to people."

The company hopes to entice more mall-goers, Machado said. This involves lowering prices slightly — something customers wanted — and offering dishes that Americans are more accustomed to seeing on the menu. New offerings include a hummus plate, guacamole, mac and cheese, burgers and other sandwiches.

"The menu is pretty big," he said. "If I had to encompass the whole menu, it's all the best items — a greatest hits album."

Even with the changes, part of Brasserie's legacy will live on.

Sprinkled in amongst the American offerings will be duck à l'orange, brown-buttered sole and a bone-in pork chop with a Madeira wine sauce and sliced almonds — mouth-watering entrees that will be carried over from the old menu.

As for brunch, diners can choose from decadent Belgian waffles, omelettes, luscious Eggs Benedict, and more. And it's a full bar, so feel free to pair with a mimosa — or two.

The walls are now covered with the eyes of famous people — Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley and Jack Nicholson, for starters — and diners are invited to guess the celebrity behind them. Owners also reformatted the bar, which is now brick with black pipes.

"It's a little bit more of an industrial look," said Machado.

The kitchen will only open in the evenings for the first week, he said. After that, it'll open for lunch and dinner.

• Monday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Tuesday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Wednesday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Thursday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Friday: Noon to 11 p.m.
• Saturday: Noon to 11 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon to 10 p.m.