Bardot: A bit of Euro in Northern Liberties

Eight years into the Pub on Passyunk East, Dennis Hewlett has ventured into Northern Liberties for his second bar-restaurant, due to open Aug. 22.

Bardot (447 Poplar St., 267-639-4761) is a world - a continent - away from the P.O.P.E.

Think blues/jazz/R&B/soul laying down in the background vs. a soundtrack of rock and roll.

The name is an homage to screen siren Brigitte Bardot - so it's "bar-DOH," not some goofy pun on "bar" (e.g. "bar-DOT," which some people have been saying).

Hewlett has gone sexy at Bardot, refitting the former WineO and Ministry of Information with a walnut bar, silver tin ceiling, burgundy flocked wallpaper and dark furnishings. You'll want to sit in the curtained booth off the bar.

Menu by chef Rhett Vellner, an alum of Resurrection Ale House, will be European-influenced - a mix of small and large plates, tartines featured on a variety of breads, and sandwiches.

Sample dishes (price range $7-$27):

Tartines

Fromage Blanc. black figs, radicchio, melon.

Petits

Saffron Dumpling Gratin. cauliflower, leeks, pine nuts.

Eggplant Panzanella. heirloom tomatoes, white beans, za'atar.

Sandwiches

Speck Prosciutto. pear jam, sheep's milk ricotta, endive.

Bardot burger. harissa, caramelized onion, lettuce, Mahon.

Grandes

Duck Cassoulet. toulouse sausage, kale, tarragon mustard cream.

Spaghettini Noir. squid, chorizo, corn.

Fourteen beers on draft, two wine taps, mostly French wine list.

Plan is to go 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, with weekend brunch starting Labor Day weekend.

Brunch samples:

Croque Madame. Fench ham, Comte, maple mustard, bechamel.

Eggs Benedict. citrus cured Arctic char, hollandaise, house-made English muffin.

Eggs en Cocotte. lamb merguez, tomato fondue, feta.