Show Me a Sign: Nightingale 9

Out of all the work that goes into opening a restaurant, it's the sign going up that tells the public the space is almost ready. And with the constant cycle of restaurants opening here in the city, we thought we'd introduce a column called "Show Me a Sign." So, using signage as our informant, we'll bring you photos and news of projects as they ready to open around town. First up? Nightingale 9, the third venture from Kerry Diamond and chef Rob Newton. Signage went up recently at 345 Smith Street, and the restaurant is set to open next Thursday, February 21st.

Nightingale 9 takes its name from an old Brooklyn phone exchange, NI9, and will be the first Vietnamese restaurant for Carroll Garden's. Newton's love for the country's cuisine started in culinary school and blossomed on a trip to Vietnam last summer. The menu draws inspiration from the same passion for quality ingredients that thrives at the group's other ventures: Seersucker and Smith Canteen, both a block away.

The menu itself will include a variety of rice noodle soups. Among them is Berkshire pork with country ham, cracklins, lemongrass, and annatto. There will be vermicelli bowls like turmeric catfish with dill, peanuts, and scallion; Jasmine rice dishes such as Caramel Berkshire Pork with Phu Quoc peppercorn, lemongrass, and coconut water; poached Hudson Valley chicken salad with cabbage, mint, basil, basil seeds, and peanuts. There will be banh mi on the menu, and for that Newton has called on nearby Captuo's Bakery, who is making a custom-made baguette for the sandwich. For the ca phe sua da, aka Vietnamese iced coffee, Nightingale 9 will brew in the traditional fashion—using individual filters placed over a cup. They'll be using Counter Culture Coffee.

The intimate, 38-seat space has been designed mostly from Gowanus' Build It Green! salvage shop and includes public school benches, church pews, and brass elevator doors. Wine and beer will only be available on tap, fish sauce is being imported from Phu Quoc Island, and Newton is working with local famers to grow hard-to-find ingredients exclusively for Nightingale 9.

Nightingale 9 | 345 Smith Street | 347-689-4699 | www

Weekdays 6pm - 10pm; weekends 6pm - 11pm

Closed Wednesdays