August 5, 2009 - With only word-of-mouth and a few Facebook updates, the Round Corner Cantina has quietly opened on Butler Street in Lower Lawrenceville.

The Cantina opened about two weeks ago at 38th and Butler, catty-corner from Piccolo Forno, in a space long occupied by Sufak's Round Corner Hotel, a dive cherished for its shabby-chic backyard. Under new ownership, the 2,000-square-foot yard's charm remains intact, while the dated, 1,800-square-foot interior got a major overhaul. Now it's all dark wood, original tile flooring from the late 1800s and a pristine tin ceiling brightened by a chandelier from Zerrer's Antiques in the Strip District, which provided many of the Cantina's furnishings.

Owners Derek Burnell, Jesse Zmuda Burnell and Sarah Fitzgerald--all Lawrenceville residents--purchased the property about a month ago (Derek stepped in for a Corona, chatted up the owner, and promptly made an offer).

Right now, the Cantina's just doing drinks, but once the kitchen is done in another four to six weeks, the Cantina will start serving authentic South American street food such as pork cracklins, a ceviche of the day and fish tacos done right with cabbage, crema and lime.

But, as the owners insist, "We are not a restaurant. We're a bar, a gastropub." No one under 21 is allowed, and the drink menu is almost twice the size of food one. There are margaritas, a wide range of tequilas, wines by the glass, a rotating roster of draft beers and masterfully crafted cocktails that play with fresh, surprising ingredients, such as lemon, basil, chili peppers and elderflower.

A grand opening is planned for August, and a website is currently in the works. For hours, call 412.904.2279.

Read more: http://popcitymedia.com/devnews/rndcornercantina.aspx

Publication: Pop City Media

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