THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Bang

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Bang Restaurant Review:

This corner of a busy Little Five Points street has quickly become a favorite neighborhood bistro, with a friendly bar at the front and a dark (too dark, really) candlelit dining room (bring a flashlight---seriously!). Nonetheless, the work is worth it, as the food is warming and comforting, with no fancy presentations or dated designs. Taking advantage of the market, many items are listed as tonight’s specials, but count on a Mediterranean/Italian interpretation of whatever they may be. We’ve had terrific single-portion skillet-served cassoulet in cold weather, with all the duck confit, sausage and tender beans it could hold. Pork osso buco, a whopping portion, was skillfully braised and sweetly tender, served with gnocchi in its natural juices. Mussels arrive perfectly cooked, their broth requiring the excellent bread to sop up every drop. For dessert, it’s the Bang Martini, a tangled layering of biscotti and ice cream. Brunch is a classic, with very good eggs Sardou (two poached eggs with grilled artichoke hearts, creamy spinach and Hollandaise). Brunch potatoes are crisp, and the unique take on the biscuit--here called the bistick--is a long thin line of biscuit that’s flaky inside while crispy on top. Great coffee, good Bloody Marys and bellinis and lively, friendly service make it a winner. Just ask the neighbors, who throng here. This wine list isn’t the longest you’ll ever see, but you have to respect the careful selection, sensible pricing and surprising range (there’s a Prosecco by the glass, for heaven’s sake!).