Brew & Bitters opens in East Meadow

True to its name, the new East Meadow cafe Brew & Bitters has a laser focus on beverages: Specifically, beer and cocktails, plus coffee and espresso made with beans from Southdown Coffee.

Owners Jonathan Joseph and Jana Rae opened the cafe earlier this fall in a space that used to hold The Nest Bar & Lounge. "I realized the area didn't have a coffee shop, and decided to add one," Joseph said.

Brew & Bitters has a loungey interior with a glossy bar, high-top tables and a pair of couches, plus free Wi-Fi.

Buttressing the liquid menu is a lengthy roster of teas from East Meadow's Tea Industries — from peppermint and citrus chamomile to se chung oolong and blackberry jasmine green — plus four beer taps and a lineup of craft cocktails such as Rin Tin Gin, made with Bluecoat gin, Cynar, Lillet blanc, grapefruit juice and simple syrup.

Brew & Bitters' food lineup is limited to pastries for now — muffins, croissants and excellent biscotti made by a staff member — but soon will include panini and meat and cheese boards, plus booze-infused desserts.

Brew & Bitters opens at 7 a.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. on weekends, and stays open until midnight (give or take) during the week and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Brew & Bitters Coffee House and Cocktail Bar, 382 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow. 718-688-4675.