Battersby Part Deux

Vinzee's Magic Fountain was open on Court Street for one year. The burger joint opened in May 2011, but in December that same year cut back to shorter "Winter hours," which left them open only Thursday to Sunday. Vinzee's called it quits after five months of shortened service. Rumors started to surface that Walker Stern and Joseph Ogrodnek, the brilliant chefs who've earned national acclaim at Battersby nearby on Smith Street, were interested in the space. One week ago from today, Stern and Ogrodnek were approved a liquor license from the Community Board – making the expansion rumors official.

We ran into the chefs on Court Street as we were heading to Vinzee's to get a picture for this post. Equipped with white T's and their morning coffee, Stern and Ogrodnek told us they're excited to expand in the neighborhood, are just starting to think about the menu, and hope for a fall opening.

Compared to the close quarters and bathroom-sized kitchen at Battersby, the former Vinzee's space, located at 412 Court Street (at First Place), is 2,800-square-feet and has an additional 600-square-feet of outdoor space. The new digs can also seat up to 75 guests, has a much larger kitchen, walk-ins, and an array of kitchen equipment.