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Two Smorgasburg vets combine high-end dessert and cocktail creations at a whimsical new Crown Heights operation

by Brendan Fitzgibbons

If there’s any doubt that fun is an integral part of the successful formula at the Crown Heights cocktail and dessert bar Butter and Scotch, consider that owners Keavy Blueher and Allison Kave made its Twitter handle name @drunkbakers.

The effervescent Blueher and Kave met as vendors at the artisanal Brooklyn outdoor food market Smorgasburg, where the former sold mini cupcakes from her small business Kumquat Cupcakery, while the latter offered tasty treats from her company First Prize Pies.

The duo instantly bonded over their similar business models, as both were taking catering orders, then selling at Smorgasburg on the weekends. Eventually Blueher grew tired of solely working on cupcakes and decided to approach Kave with the idea of opening a retail store.

“I knew I didn’t want to open a typical bakery, and when I approached Allison, she was all about making the transition to a storefront,” Blueher said. “And luckily she’d been bartending for the last ten years, so in addition to her amazing pies, she brought a knowledge of cocktails.”

With an eye toward the offbeat, Blueher and Kave settled on a philosophy that veers toward experimental, but above all else, fun. “I wanted a place where you can have a slice of pie and a glass of wine, and there really wasn’t anything like that in Brooklyn,” she said.

The co-owners also specifically intended to steer away from traditional dessert pairings. “We didn’t want it to be stuffy, but silly and ridiculous, where someone could come in and order a martini and a hot fudge sundae,” Blueher explained. “And you know what, every Friday we have a customer stop in and get a hot fudge sundae and a glass of Chardonnay, and I just love that.”

Cellini Spread

Everything on the exuberant and playful food menu is made in house— offerings include pies, cakes, ice creams, snacks. Spirits include cocktails, wine, beer, and even Jello shots.

A few of the most sought after items include the densely-moist pink frosting laced birthday cake topped with colorful sprinkles, the S’Mores pie (a sugary slice of graham cracker crust filled with milk chocolate custard blended with a delicately torched marshmallow), and the salted small batch chocolate chip cookies that Blueher has to keep away from the bartenders “or they’ll never see the light of day.”

For libations, the owner pointed to the Honeychile Rider, a citrusy mix of Ford’s Gin, Passion Fruit, lemon, Mike’s Hot Honey, and Bittermens Elemakule Tiki Bitters, along with the Grilled Pineapple, a summer menu treat that combines smoky Mezcal Chipotle Tequila and pineapple and lemon juice, topped with a slice of grilled ham.

When searching for a location for their unique cocktail bakery, Blueher and Kave drove around the borough all day in a Zipcar, testing cuisine in various neighborhoods. Ultimately, the location of Butter and Scotch came down to Franklin Avenue in Crown

Heights or Franklin St. in Green point, but the budding entrepreneurs settled upon the avenue for its reasonable rent, closeness to home and friends, and proximity to the 2, 3, 4, and 5 subway stops.

Residents of the rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood wasted no time in greeting the pair with enthusiasm. “When we were first unveiling parts of the bar and bakery during the construction process, we’d have members of community poke their head in to tell us that they were so excited we were opening up because there was nowhere to buy cake nearby,” Blueher said. “And we just felt so welcomed by everyone. If we were in Williamsburg, we’d be just another retail location, but in Crown Heights we can stand out.”

The vintage décor at Butter and Scotch keeps with the eatery’s giddy, unorthodox theme. The walls are accentuated with pops of red, black, and gold, and outline a lengthy enamel top bar, small table seating, diner-style swivel stools, and a bulletin board with Polaroids of customers enjoying their favorite menu items.

“Our designer told us that it almost has a Chinese mobster- feel because there’s so much gold everywhere,” Blueher said with a chuckle. “But basically our aesthetic is very DIY because we’re super low-budget, but it ends up working really well for the whole concept.”

Butter and Scotch
818 Franklin Avenue / 347.350.8899 / butterandscotch.com