Fresh Bread and More Down in The Rabbit Hole

Laurence Elliott, owner of old Williamsburg's sorely missed Read Cafe (now the more upscale coffee shop El Beit) is opening up a new and bigger place in South Williamsburg, on Bedford between South 4th and South 3rd. First things first: the Read Cafe tradition of backyard garden lounging will live on behind Elliott's new home, called The Rabbit Hole.

Elliott, who trained at the French Culinary Institute while running Read, has been obsessed lately with baking bread, and is particularly determined to bring fresh sourdough to South Williamsburg. To that end, The Rabbit Hole has a bakery in the basement, from which the scent of freshly baked goods will soon be wafting. A full kitchen will serve standard American fare in the ground floor cafe, which used to be apartments, with entrees in the $15 range. At night a bar near the front of the room will likely become the main attraction.

There's still some detail work to be done on the interior, but the main elements seem to be in place and Elliott hopes to lure locals down The Rabbit Hole sometime next month. 352 Bedford Avenue.