Andy Husbands to bring $5 Smoke Shop snacks to Somerville

You can soon get a taste of Andy Husbands’ exciting new barbecue concept with a pop-up at Somerville’s Tasting Counter. The award-winning chef will bring teasers from his upcoming new restaurant Smoke Shop set to open in Kendall later this spring for two nights, March 25-26, for a late night smoked and sauced snack extravaganza.

On the menu: burnt ends with kimchi and sesame aioli, fried chicken and waffle croquettes and hot fish sliders served with sour pickles and mayo. Snacks range from $2 to $5 (and include dessert options, like $3 rainbow treats) and can be paired for $8 with a Tasting Counter-selected menu of craft cocktails, cider and wine.

Husbands, who has been ever omnipresent in Boston’s culinary scene via his two South End establishments, Tremont 647 and Sister Sorel, has taken home national and international awards for his ‘que and this concept is set to represent the best of his work.

The open date for the restaurant remains vague (Spring! 2016! Sometime!), but press contacts for Husbands note the menu will include “one of the largest selections of whiskey in New England” alongside the chef’s “competitive-style barbecue.” Boston Magazine also teases “year-round” collard greens and “a smoked and fried chicken sandwich, layered with a crispy thigh, a slick of pimento cheese, pickles and fresh vegetables.”

If you go:

Friday, March 25 andSaturday, March 26
10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Tasting Counter
14 Tyler St.,Somerville
617.299.6362
www.tastingcounter.com