Restaurant notes: The Corner

Whatever became of Scott Swiderski, who left Buddakan last summer after 12 years as executive chef?

He's surfaced at the corner of 13th and Drury Streets in Wash West at a resto-bar called The Corner (102 S. 13th St.) in the former site of a short-lived bar/lounge called Apothecary and later APO. It debuts Friday night (12/17).

Here's the comfort-food menu, which Swiderski wisely has kept small -- befitting his small open kitchen that looks out to a counter and a wee little bar dispensing 7 whites, 8 reds, 5 sparkling, 9 beers, and a load of $11 cocktails bearing names such as Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame and Mary Kelly's Last Breath, as well as classics such as a tequila old fashioned. The drink menu is here.

A few dishes we tried: a meatball salad (two decent meatballs sliced in half and served with greens and topped with Reggiano), fried calamari that harkened to Buddakan, a "grilled truffle cheese" sandwich that advertised short rib in the middle, a hearty bowl of rigatoni, and a dandy side of mashed turnips topped with fried shallots.

Prices top out at $18 for grilled tuna.

Sexily lit street-level dining room has wooden tables and banquettes embedded with adjustable seat backs.

Upstairs has been refitted into a comfier lounge that maintains the roof deck.