Park Slope's Oyster Bar Brooklyn Names Exec Chef

Oyster Bar Brooklyn is coming to Park Slope before year's end, and it recently took a large step towards opening.

Franchise owners Bruce Fox and Jonathan Young have announced Justin Ernsberger as their executive chef. Ernsberger is a 1997 graduate of the French Culinary Institute, earning the prestigious Grand Diplome, and gained experience at New York City eateries such as Aquagrill and Jean-Georges.

“I’m definitely excited to join an established, legendary place like the Oyster Bar, which has stood the test of time. And I absolutely have an affinity for seafood,” Ernsberger said. “I love the complexity of the market, and the availability of so many different types of seafood that allow you to work with so many ingredients. People just go bonkers over shellfish, There’s really a cult following.”

The restaurant, located at 254-256 Fifth Avenue, aims to open in mid-November as the Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn. No date is set yet, however. The 5,000-square foot space, which previously housed Fornino, is the second largest in Park Slope. It will include an open kitchen, bar and lounge area, as well as a main dining room. The restaurant will seat 150 in total.

As Zagat wrote earlier this summer, the restaurant will seasonally source ingredients from local markets.