written by guest author Justin Schmidt

After spending six years atop Ojos del Selado in Chile, eating nothing but metamorphic rocks, coca leaves, and peyote, Master chef Hirotoshi Itoh has opened his latest fusion restaurant in the heart of Canarsie, Brooklyn. In an op-ed piece by Sara Stewart of the New York Post, she called Canarsie "the next East Bushwick;" due to the rising costs of rent, influx of third-wave coffee roasters, and burgeoning avant-garde restaurant scene.

Yelper, hipster, and freelance cat toy consultant, "Jeff M." announced that Stonelove Bistro was "[T]he best thing to happen to NYC since Guy's American Kitchen & Bar!" Similarly, twitter user @KnittingApathy, Danielle F. said "Eat your heart out, @GuyFieriOfficial!" We met with Itoh to see what the buzz was all about.

Itoh calls his food "Stone Fusion," incorporating elements of metamorphic rock, Bangkok street food, Cornish pasty, and nouvelle cuisine. His signature dish, "Granite Game Hen" served over basalt and onyx (market price), often leads to a line around the block. His "Serpentine Satay" ($28, serves two) is another hot item that he has difficulty keeping up with. Itoh currently works with local quarries within a 50 mile radius of his flagship, but in August, he will visit many more in an effort to expand his "quarry to table" concept in cities like Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Sioux Falls. A pop-up location in Utica, NY is set to open in October.

Following the success of his new restaurant on Flatlands Avenue, Itoh has plans to soft launch a haute couture workwear line of purses for men and women. Below is an example of what one can expect from his upcoming launch at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.