Bar Nancy in Little Havana Gets New Menu

Revolutionary War-themed Bar Nancy opened in Little Havana last April with rustic, nautical-inspired decor and a healthy selection of craft cocktails. Now the laid-back drinking den has upped its offerings with a full menu of bar bites.

Behind the food at Nancy is Kat Alvarez, a former pastry chef with stints at Swine Southern Table & Bar, Beaker & Gray, and Fireman Derek’s Bakeshop.

“Kat has designed a menu that is short and to the point but still very well-rounded,” co-owner Sasha-Alexandre Torres says. “We always wanted to offer a small list of snacks. When we met Kat, we were excited to hand the kitchen over to her and allow her to create a full menu.”

Nancy’s kitchen, which has mainly been used to prep cocktail ingredients, is small. Despite size constraints, Alvarez whips up a medley of appetizers, entrées, and desserts.

A peek at the menu reveals small plates ($6 to $10) such as chicharrones drizzled with house seasoning and lime mist and served alongside chipotle aioli; “sea-deviled” eggs with fresh dill, Old Bay seasoning, lump crabmeat, and mustard seed caviar; and “loaded gun” potato cakes with cheddar cheese, bacon, and scallion crema.

“We always suggest people try the sea-deviled eggs,” Torres says. “They have a nice helping of sweet lump crabmeat that pairs so well with the mustard-seed caviar. It’s different and surprising but still as familiar as a great deviled egg.”

Larger items ($10 to $12) include cannonball sliders stuffed with meatballs, marinara, and lemon ricotta and served with cacio e pepe chips; captain’s sloppy joe, made with bison meat, sweet and spicy Dr. Pepper/Jim Beam bourbon sauce, pickled onions, and potato sticks on Zak the Baker brioche; and a red beet and black bean burger with honey sriracha slaw and melted provolone.

“The captain’s sloppy joe is a delicious, grown-up version of a childhood staple,” Torres says. “I’m slightly obsessed with our roasted red beet and black bean burger too. It’s earthy, sweet, spicy, and cheesy all in one.”

Desserts ($7 to $8) include sea-salted pretzel cheesecake with candied bacon and bacon caramel sauce, and “perfect storm” crème brûlée, made with chocolate ganache, graham crumbles, and torched meringue. “It’s a hybrid variation of crème brûlée and chocolate ganache s’mores,” Torres says. “It’s elegant, sweet, and rounded out with a creamy finish.”

Bar Nancy. 2007 SW Eighth St., Miami; 305-397-8971; nancy305.com. Sunday through Wednesday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday through Saturday 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.