Camari Mick, known for her pastry work at the Musket Room and Raf's, is opening her first solo restaurant in the West Village this month. The new spot, Calabash, focuses on Afro-Caribbean baking and brasserie fare. Mick, a four-time James Beard Award semifinalist, is drawing on family recipes and her own background for the menu.
On a recent Wednesday morning, contractors finished painting the trim outside Calabash’s Christopher Street address. Inside, Mick and her staff tested a batch of coconut bread and adjusted the spice blend on a curry goat hand pie.
Calabash is set to serve items like plantain financiers, jerk chicken sandwiches, and Mick’s signature rum cakes. Coffee service will start at 8 a.m., with table service for lunch and dinner planned later this season. Prices for pastries range from $4 to $10, with main dishes under $30.
Mick’s move comes as the West Village sees a wave of new bakeries and cafes, with local residents noting the increased variety of options. She says the goal is to create a space where "heritage and hospitality meet." The opening adds another independent operator to a block already familiar with lines for weekend brunch.