Caribbean-inspired Bincho-Don to take over longtime Easton Public Market space

EASTON, Pa. — A new Caribbean-influenced restaurant will take over a longtime vendor space at Easton Public Market next month, bringing island-style rice plates and bold flavors to the downtown food hall.

Bincho-Don, led by chef Kadon Barnwell, will open in February in the former home of More Than Q, which operated at the market for nearly a decade. Pitmaster Matt Martin decided to transition out of the Easton location, passing the space and smoker to Barnwell.

The takeout concept draws from Caribbean, Guyanese, Honduran and Filipino cuisines, offering rice plates with smoked proteins, sauces and comfort-food sides.

“The concept is inspired by the island foods I grew up around — Caribbean, Guyanese, Honduran, and Filipino — and the way those cultures use rice, fire, spice, and time to create comforting, soulful meals,” Barnwell said in a statement. “EPM feels like the perfect place to build something community-driven.”

Barnwell has spent more than 12 years in professional kitchens, starting at age 16 at Raritan Valley Country Club in New Jersey.

He later served as chef de cuisine at the Pluckemin Inn, a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning fine dining restaurant in Bedminster, N.J., and most recently worked as executive chef at Cree Wine Company, a Hunterdon County wine bar run by New Jersey’s only certified Master of Wine.

At Bincho-Don, the chef is trading composed fine dining plates for the casual takeout format he grew up with.

Jared Mast, executive director of Greater Easton Development, which operates the market, said the transition marks a new chapter for the space.

“It’s a sad farewell to Matt and More Than Q, having worked with him since the very beginnings of the market, but we’re excited to welcome the next chapter for that space with Kadon,” Mast said.

The restaurant plans to source ingredients from regional farmers and producers.

Easton Public Market, which opened in 2016, houses 14 artisanal vendors at 325 Northampton St. Opening details will be announced on the market’s social media channels.