In early 2022, wife-and-husband restaurateurs Caron Callahan and Sean Rembold opened Ingas Bar in a residential nook of Brooklyn Heights. Very quickly, it became a neighborhood staple — candlelit coziness ideal for date nights, with families piling in for brunch during daytime hours.
Now those good vibes will extend to Boerum Hill. The couple has taken over the corner space previously occupied by Café Kitsuné, on the corner of Bond and Pacific.
"We were not actively looking for a space," says Rembold. Other opportunities had come up, but they wanted to be "picky and choosy." This space just felt right. "We've told ourselves this is Ingas's older sister."
There's no name yet — everything is still in planning stages — but overlap with Ingas's gastrotavern cooking should be minimal. Rembold, who worked for Andrew Tarlow at Diner and Marlow & Sons, understands how companion restaurants can share a sensibility while offering distinct experiences.
The couple and their two children live in the neighborhood, and Rembold says locals will ultimately dictate the final form. "If we're not focused on the regulars, it's not for us. The vibe, feel, and staff come before the food."
One major motivation: creating opportunities for their team. "We wanted upward mobility for our staff," Rembold explains. "We're lucky to have low turnover at Ingas — they're our true impetus for creative growth."
Callahan, a designer, will visualize everything from custom napkins to bathroom candle scents. There's also an attached bar next door on Bond for a later project.
They're eyeing late winter or early spring for opening. For neighbors who've already heard the news, it can't come soon enough.