Chauncey Smith: Cafe Erzulie
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
Cafe Erzulie is the best kind of New York spot: great food, music, drinks, and zero labels as to what exactly it is (restaurant/lounge/venue/whatever you want it to be!!) Erzulie operates as a flower shop/cafe during the day, and a cocktail bar/party at night. They serve up an array of Haitian inspired food in a candy colored atmosphere that quite literally makes you forget you're sitting under the JMZ. We've spent a lot of nights at Erzulie, sipping on Smokey Palomas and dancing in the backyard--but hadn't spent much time there during the day until we met with Chauncey Smith, Head Bartender + Event Floor Manager (aka the one making the magic happen). We chatted with Chauncey about early dining memories, and the extra special delivery of hibiscus sorrel they get to create their staple Summer Sorrel.
Full name, age, where are you from?
Chauncey Smith , 32 , New Jersey.
What is your role at Erzulie?
Head Bartender & Event Floor Manager.
What was growing up like for you and did you have family meals growing up?
I grew up in both North (Newark) & South Jersey (Trenton). So being around different cultures was always the setting. wether it was having a plate of Haitian food from my best friends house after school, or Liberian food in celebration of life, or Dominican food on Thanksgiving at 11p. So Growing up food was definitely at the forefront of gatherings w family, friends. My family is pretty big also and my mother always loved to host when she could. Like having an Annual Juneteenth BBQ in our yard, family & the neighborhood was always invited. Looking back at it I would say that was some of my earliest moments of Family Meal.
What are your earliest memories of dining out?
The Buffet. Ponderosa. Haha ! If You Know You Know - but more seriously my PopPop LOVED breakfast and I was the kid eating chicken fingers up until like age 12 for breakfast. So enjoying an early meal w my grandparents is up there too.
Was there a definitive moment or person that drew you to the restaurant industry?
Growing up I sadly didn't get to see many women that looked like me in my industry. Especially in bartending. I really had no idea bartending was such a thing. I started my service industry career when I was 16 years old. At a Country Club in Trenton working as a sever. & I was horrible OMG lol ( If you ever bump into me ask me about the Cheesesteaks story) But by my second restaurant - another country club in Howell, NJ - I worked with this bartender Shelley who lit up a room and was such a boss. She was older so experience was definitely under her belt. But it was her personality, professionalism, real ness & skill that drew me to her. We worked together a lot at our outside portion of the space complete w a grill chef, server(me) & a bartender(Shelley). Our shifts there we would get super busy so eventually Shelley began training me to help her make cocktails... the first drink I ever learned and perfected was a Cosmopolitan .. the rest was history. S/O to Shelley ! I think about her often, I hope she's doing well.
If you could give a piece of advice to someone who wanted to pursue your career, what would it be?
Be A Sponge. Watch & Ask, Be Patient. Continue To Adapt. Everyone's expectations and experiences are different in this industry. But you can def set your own & do things your way.
What's your favorite dish/drink on the menu?
The Spiced Kale Ceasar w Griot, Avocado. Or the Spinach Pâtés. For drink: Summer Sorrel - it's become its own staple at Erzulie.
What is your favorite place to go out and eat at and what are you ordering?
Brown Butter NYC here in BedStuy has def been a top go to for me. It's a biscuit bar & I'd say start off w any of the Egg Breakfast Sandwiches. But you can do no wrong here, everything is so good, and It's Black Owned.
Word Association
Caffeine | Yerba Mate Raspberry
Munchies | Cakes , Pastries
Shots | Ten To One Dark Rum
Condiment | I found this Parmesan & Peppercorn Sauce in a local market recently that's had me in my feels. In the best way possible.
First Date | Wow. it's been a while lol
Home | Music
Vice | New hairstyles
Future | "Free Bandz"
