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UPDATE: Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Co. to open by end of month
by Brandon Darnell, published on September 7, 2012 at 5:27 PM
Storyline: Local Business
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Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Co. – the new venture from the owners of The Golden Bear – is set to open by the end of the month, co-owner Kimio Bazett said Friday.
The menu at the restaurant located at 1630 S St. is nearly complete, but Bazett said he’s keeping tight-lipped on what, exactly, will be on it.
“We’re trying to be as secretive as possible,” he said. “We don’t want too many details, except that there’s going to be a lot of handmade stuff. We’re trying to do all of our baking in-house, have handmade pasta, homemade sausages and farmers market-sourced produce as much as possible.”
He’s being equally mum about the interior of the building, saying that not even the workers are permitted to take photos with camera phones.
“The draw is to show everyone the complete package when we open – the sum of all the details,” he said.
One thing Bazett was clear about: This will be no clone of The Golden Bear.
“Although The Golden Bear is our baby and we love it and it’ll hopefully be here forever and ever, this new venture is going to be very different – equal parts bar and restaurant,” he said.
The bar menu will feature classic cocktails as well as new recipes, and Bazett said he wants the restaurant to be an innovator in the field. Innovations, he said, will include new techniques for making drinks and new technologies as soon as they are introduced.
Pricing for food will run the gamut from below $10 to steaks and other entrées approaching $20. Some plates will be designed for sharing – part of what Bazett said is the theme of the restaurant.
“We want people in the neighborhood to come down here and feel like this is a place they can hang out and have us be part of the neighborhood,” he said.
Located in a neighborhood, Bazett said the business wants to get situated and get to know the residents, and no entertainment permit will be applied for for at least the first year.
“We’re really focusing on being a part of the community and being a positive impact on the culture rather than impacting it negatively,” he said. “We want to give the best possible service so everyone feels welcome.”
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FrederickBaroh
September 8, 2012 | 9:38 PM
Parking will be a problem, and immediate locals and state workers may hard to attract, due to well established cheaper competition. The neighbors complain a lot, and certainly won't allow the kind of late night raucous crowds that Golden Bear has packed in to it's tiny location. Late night hours probably won't last. A bar didn't work there at all(RIP Hangar 16). Success would likely come from building a strong lunchtime clientele, when there is the highest volume of people nearby. The pricy R street and staple inexpensive rival venues are going to be a squeeze for night business. A sophisticated Vegetarian leaning menu might provide an edge, as that customer wedge isn't being well served yet in either hours open or quality and creativity of menu.
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BobR
September 11, 2012 | 9:53 AM
OK, it's nice to see that vacant site getting resurrected. But I guess the answer to any type of "redevelopment" and job creation these days seems to be to open up a place & serve booze. Is that really the best we can come up with? Hopefully the food will be decent.
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CaliChili
September 11, 2012 | 11:18 AM
I am so excited to see the location being renovated for use! And I couldn't be happier with what they are doing with it. As a close neighbor to the location and a buddy of some of the owners/staff, I can't wait and wish Hook & Ladder all the best!!!!!!! If you can come up with something better, go for it. This is what these folks know, and I for one am not complaining =)
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aperitif
September 11, 2012 | 11:58 AM
I don't care if they are being secretive with their menu, anything Kimio puts together will be delicious. I probably won't even look it up at all, just go in there blindfolded and randomly point to an item on the menu. As long as the owners treat their employees fairly, which they currently do (which SUPPOSEDLY the owners of Hanger 17 failed to do when closing down), this should be a very sucessful venture. This area has a need for a good place to grab a drink without being in a full restaurant setting. With quite a few state and office buildings close by, and the reputation The Golden Bear management will be bringing, I have a feeling this place will be here to stay.
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