Chef Brad Sorenson To Open Rainey Street Joint

Chef Brad Sorenson, he of (formerly) ASTI Trattoria, The Next Food Network Star's sixth season and Chopped tells CultureMap Austin today that he's opening a new restaurant called Bar Nova in the Rainey Street neighborhood downtown.

“The Rainey Street area is such a cool part of town right now. We want to create a place there that people will make people want to relax,” says Sorenson. “We’re not looking to make a white-tablecloth, formal dining restaurant, but the food you eat will make you feel like you’re in one.”

Restaurant design magician Joel Mozersky is on board at the project, which will feature--wait for it, you're not going to believe this, it's crazy, it's crazier than crazy, it's downright bonkers!--locally sourced upscale bar food. Bar Nova will also install a "scratch bar featuring progressive cocktails using house-made ingredients."

· Chef Brad Sorenson Makes His Austin Debut [CultureMap Austin]

Sorenson's old digs. [Photo: Larry M./Yelp]