Gourmet Take-Out to Replace Back 9 Grill on Vanderbilt

Finally, a new business has begun renovating 635 Vanderbilt Ave., replacing the short-lived Back 9 Grill. 

Called "Stocked," the new cafe located between Prospect and St. Marks will offer healthy entrees, sides, salads and sauces for Prospect Heighters to grab on their way home.

"We want to be a place where people can come in, grab some food, and not feel guilty serving it to their families," said Matt Fulton, who is opening the shop with business partner Joanna Knollmueller. 

Fulton says the food will be a healthier option than most take-out, but "won't have the health food stigma."

"We'll use butter here and there but we won't be heavy with it," he said Monday night while taking a break from painting the ceiling of the new cafe.

But while take-out will be the focus, Stocked will also have a dine-in option with seating for about 15 (plus tables in the backyard later this summer).

Fulton and Knollmueller, who both have young children, plan to make the cafe family friendly, with a playspace in the back and a kid-friendly vibe.

"We want families to feel comfortable letting their kids running around," he said. "If mom wants to come in, sit in the front and have a sandwich, she can feel free to let the kids go to the back and entertain themselves."

For laptoppers who can block out the noise, the cafe will also offer wifi. 

Fulton and Knollmueller, who both live within a few blocks of the cafe, come to the venture with strong culinary backgrounds. They met (along with Fulton's wife) working at Union Square Cafe, and then they both worked for many years as personal chefs.

Potential menu items include a selection of "interesting sandwiches" and salads, rotisserie chicken, lamb and duck, faro and quinoa salads, and bolognese sauce, Fulton said.

In the focus on upscale gourmet take-out, Stocked joins 606 R&D across the street, which opened a year ago, and the 8-week-old Lincoln Station on Lincoln Place just off Washington Avenue. 

Fulton said he hopes to open Stocked by May 1.