Brooklyn chefs debut new cafe at BPL on Pi Day

Bookworms and researchers, rejoice: there is a new, delicious café option newly opened at the Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) Central Library at Grand Army Plaza.

Launched on Pi Day—March 14, which is something of an annual holiday for fans of the mathematical constant known as “pi,” represented by an infinite number of digits that begins with 3.14—the café features an array of freshly-baked pies and pastries from Gowanus pie shop Four & Twenty Blackbirds, as well as sandwiches, salads, baked goods, soup and oatmeal from sibling chefs John and Mike Poiarkoff, who head up the kitchens at Brooklyn’s The Pines and Vinegar Hill House, respectively.

Melissa and Emily Elsen, sibling owners at Four & Twenty Blackbirds, described the decision to dive into the library-café venture as a natural fit with their own mission of “serving good food with a friendly smile,” while also striving “to support community, education and creativity from a culinary perspective.”

“Pie is definitely kind of a reward,” said Melissa, noting that the café’s coffee cups are printed with the phrase ‘Keep Reading, There’s Pie.’”

Available pies include Salted Caramel Apple, Black Bottom Oat, Lemon Chess and Salty Honey. Sandwiches include a BLT with homemade bacon strips and Greenmarket tomatoes; sweet potato hummus with harissa and cucumbers; and roast beef with housemade kimchi and horseradish mayo.

The savory menu was designed with the seasonal bounty available at the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket in mind, said the Poiarkoff brothers.

“These are simple, tasty things done right, properly sourced and made in-house,” said Mike.

“It’s important to appeal to a wide audience, from people in the neighborhood to kids on trips and people who go to the market on Saturday or run through Prospect Park only to stop by for lunch,” added John, explaining that the prices are intentionally affordable — all $10 or below.

The arrival of fresh and made-to-order food items marks a welcome change to BPL’s Central Library, said one library patron as he waited for his chicken salad sandwich with yogurt, pesto and crispy shallots to be prepared.

“What could be better than enjoying a slice of pie and the latest bestseller at the library,” asked Linda E. Johnson, BPL’s president and CEO. “We are happy to support Four & Twenty Blackbirds and other local businesses and look forward to celebrating an educational and delicious Pi(e) Day.”

The BPL Central Library Café will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.