A First Look at the Brass Union Menu in Somerville

Spicy shrimp with lemon garlic sauce and pea shoots at Brass Union in Somerville. Photo provided.

The Somerville space formerly inhabited by restaurant and music venue, Precinct, will emerge as a brand new concept, Brass Union, later next week. On one side will be a lounge, complete with its own 30-seat bar area, oversized leather sofas, a shuffleboard court, board games like Jenga and Connect Four, and a vintage tabletop Pac-Man machine. The other half will be a New York City-style tavern with brass accents, a sprawling bar, and reclaimed wooden gargoyle fixtures that once lined the Capital Grille’s original location on Newbury Street.

Outside, Brass Union will offer a vast patio area on one side and a variety of games, including a custom-designed cornhole board, on the other. Capturing the spirit of the Somerville community, the perimeter is also lined with gardens growing fresh herbs and vegetables that will be incorporated into the food and beverage programs.

Manning the kitchen at Brass Union is executive chef Jonathan Kopacz, an alum of Chez Henri. His menu is designed to present American-style small plates focused on seasonal ingredients and contemporary techniques. Highlights from Kopacz’s debut menu include roasted chicken with chanterelles, chicken liver mousse, and mustard jus; choripán with chimichurri; steak tartare with pickled ramps and a Bloody Mary vinaigrette; and a pulled beef brisket sandwich with a creamy brussels sprout slaw.

Veteran Paulo Pereira, formerly of Lansdowne Pub, heads up a beverage program with draft cocktails, house-made sodas and mixers, and 24 beers on draft tap, almost all from local breweries.

Brass Union will be open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. On Sundays, brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., after which it will switch to its regular dinner menu until 1 a.m.

Brass Union Menu:

SMALL

(From $8-$14)

Gazpacho

guacamole puree, Plantain chip

Charcuterie (for two)

artisan selections, house pâté, eggplant marmalade, mustard, Iggys

Mackerel Crudo

preserved lemon, chile, celery, radish

Heirloom Romaine

Caesar dressing, pecorino, croutons, lemon

Baby Spinach

pickled baby beets, savory granola, Danish blue cheese

Roasted Parsnips

parsnip puree, arugula & pine nut salad, hard cider reduction

Spicy Shrimp

lemon garlic sauce, pea shoots, pea & mint puree

Cod Cakes

fresh local cod, no filler, citrus aioli, fennel and garlic, blistered tomato, olive

Chicken Wings

                 black pepper batter, tomato marmalade, buttermilk dressing     

TARTINES & SANDWICHES

(From $5-$13)

Mushroom Toast

selection of wild mushrooms, lightly poached egg yolk, ramps, smoked tomato aioli       

Chicken Liver Mousse

pickled beets, arugula, radish

Choripan

like a hotdog…Argentinian-style, chorizo, chimichurri, Iggys

Cheeseburger

grass-fed beef, Cabot cheddar, onion marmalade, green aioli, fries

BIG

($15-$18)

Lobster Pappardelle

grilled lobster, fresh pasta, roasted tomato, English peas, lobster beurre blanc 

Steak Frites

grilled New York strip, herbed house cut fries, petite salad, béarnaise

Roasted Natural Chicken

turnips, dark meat confit hash, chanterelles, liver mousse, mustard jus

Mackerel en Escabeche

citrus and tomato broth, carrot, sweet pepper, cilantro

House Cavatelli

spring vegetables, ramp butter

DESSERTS

(From $6-$10)

Artisan Cheese Selections

seasonal accompaniments

Strawberry Shortcake

vanilla bean whipped cream, fresh and macerated strawberry, meringue

Duet of Ice Cream Sandwiches

Plate of Homemade Cookies

SIDES

($5 each)

Brussels Sprouts

cheddar

Plantain Chips

house hot sauce

House Cut Fries

béarnaise

Grilled Corn

aioli, cilantro smoked salt

70 Union Square; 617-623-9211 or brassunion.com.