Inside Johanna Ware's Smallwares, Open Now in NE

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[Avila, 2/16/11]

Former Nostrana sous chef Johanna Ware — who also happens to be alumni of David Chang's Momofuku Ssam Bar and Momofuku Noodle Bar in NYC — has debuted her "inauthentic Asian" small-plates restaurant Smallwares, in the NE Fremont space that most recently housed Doc George's Jazz Kitchen.

The menu for the 40-seat spot is separated by plate size, with "large" options like oxtail curry, udon noodles with pork belly and fermented black bean, and hanger steak with scallion tofu cream. Smaller-sized include scallop sashimi (served with den miso, shallot, and puffed rice), a kale and apple salad (with peanut brittle and sesame vinaigrette), and mapo tofu with egg custard and scallions. The beverage menu, intriguingly, is separated into categories based on the flavors guests want: Three beers, three wines, and one wine option occupy the "Floral" section, while "Crisp" sees two wines, two beers, and one sake on offer. And the five-item cocktail menu promises to be a preview of Ware's adjacent cocktail lounge Barwares, which opens soon.

Hours of operation: Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 11:30am-10pm; Friday & Saturday, 11:30am-11pm.
· Smallwares [Official site]