Julian opens today in Brookside

After a successful soft opening this weekend, Brookside’s new Julian (6227 Brookside Plaza) is up and open for all comers to check out food “that won’t break the bank, monetarily or calorically,” according to Chef Celina Tio. 

“I wanted to create a restaurant that I would want to eat at. It needed to have the right price point, a chef-driven menu, and as many local products as possible,” says Tio. 

The dinner menu reflects that. Starters range from “green eggs & ham,” a soft yolk in a spinach flan with prosciutto toast ($6), to house-smoked trout and potato chive pancakes ($8). Three sandwich choices are led by the “b.e.l.t.” — bacon, egg, lettuce and tapenade mayo with fries ($9).

Dinner could be a four-hour braised shorts ribs “pot roast” ($15) or fish “tacos” with egg, cliantro, lime and spanish rice ($14). Boulevard Pale Ale macaroni and cheese with broccoli is $10, and sides — cheesy grits, cheesy broccoli, onion rings — are $4. 

Tio also wants diners to know that she hopes to keep vegetarians happy by offering substitutions of tofu or housemade saiten. If you’ve followed her career from her time at The American, you’ll be pleased to see one of her signature dishes — the lobster “shepherd’s pie,” ($22) is on the menu, too. 

She also expects to do well with a line of mini desserts ($4), including baked chocolate puddin’ with a giner donut, grilled pound cake with caramel apples and sea salt, and organic squash cheesecake with its very own brittle.