UPDATE: This post generated some good discussion and questions. Owner Kyle Kirkland addresses them in the comments.
ORIGINAL POST, 2/9: The downtown sports bar on Van Ness Avenue near the spiral parking garage has had a disappointing life. It was Hero's, then Austin's, then Heroes again -- each one unable to find the right mix of games and grub.
So the current ownership group, headed by Kyle Kirkland of Club One Casino, decided recently to ditch the sports bar concept, change the name and give the place a new vibe. Now it's Brick. And Brick is looking nice.
The place has a mature look -- black table cloths and black-and-white pictures of people like John F. Kennedy on the walls. Even a piano and a screen showing old movies. Brick sorta feels like the place you'd go if you were a mobster. Before anybody breaks my kneecaps, I mean that as a compliment.
Brick is aiming for a more upscale vibe, says Kirkland. Just see the dress code: "After 5 p.m,, if Sinatra wouldn't wear it, you shouldn't either." It'll eventually have entertainment aimed at the older crowd -- music, comedy, etc. For now, Brick is open weekdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday for dinner and drinks.
I had lunch there last week and was quite impressed. I would certainly go back. Here's a look inside Brick:
Any idea if they have happy hour specials yet?
no idea. sorry
Always looking for the happy hours Luke!
could you double check those evening hours? They were closed at 8 on ArtHop night, and closed at 10pm after the Philharmonic--they (like Joes, etc.)tend to have somewhat "flexible hours," so patrons don't find them dependable--and, when it's late night, close to the Saroyan, there are limited choices, so, downtown eateries lose to the Tower (again.)I wish them luck, but, they've got to post their hours and actually be open when they say they will-(is it too much to ask for a nice pasta and glass of wine AFTER a concert downtown?)
Films being shown on the wall in the dining area. Sounds like the owner has been to the Foreign Cinema Restaurant in SF.
Have you been to Foreign Cinema? I doubt it or you would not compare the two.
Even Shakey's Pizza showed movies on the wall, hardly warrants a comparison to Foreign Cinema.
Again with the wonky hours.
When will people learn?
The menu (with those prices) seems like somewhere I would go. The "dress code" however, suggests otherwise...? Im confused.
Nice recon Mike. Looks like a very cool place.
I couln't help but notice the diamond plate behind the booths. Were those leftover from the last location? I never went to Heroes or Austin's.
I agree with JJJJ. Am I supposed to put on my Armani suit (that I don't own) and order an $8 "Brick Burger"?
Would also be annoying if they jack up the prices for fancy schmancy dinner but it's the same food as lunch.
It won't be around long. Get it while you can. Upscale in the heart of downscale downtown. Pricey and dressy in the wrong neighborhood and a poor location. Wonder what the next restaurant in that location will be?
Chris, theres a "pricey" restaurant right across the street that has been there for a long, long time.
Luke, I was talking to the staff today and they are planning some happy hour specials, probably starting next week. They're still working out the details, but the executive chef said it will probably be $4 items starting at 4 p.m. (both food and drink), $5 items at 5 p.m., etc. Hope that helps!
Here's another complaint about the hours, as I had planned an evening that was to begin with dinner at Brick around 8pm on a Saturday night. Yes, they were closed and ended up eating at Club One.
Why do these places open when they really aren't ready?!?
No advertising, no real hours, NOTHING but saying "we're open", which is only partially true.
This is the kind of place where you kind of have to plan to go (out of the way, dress code, etc.), but no sense in planning an evening there if they aren't going to be reliable.
I'd respect new businesses a lot more if they just opened when they are ready. I mean REALLY ready to do business.
Anyway, I MIGHT give them another shot, but I'd sure like some kind of assurance that they have real hours that they are ready to stick by.
559rell,
Sorry for the inconvenience. As it turns out, we were closed for a private party on Saturday night. We really appreciate you trying to check us out, and if you post us at brickfresno@gmail.com, we'll figure out a way to make it up to you. Again, sorry for the inconvenience.
Kyle
Thank you for the response, Kyle. I really appreciate the kind gesture to make things right.
It's ok, though. Things worked out because we liked the food at Club One and only ended up a tad bit late to the event we attended. It was a good night.
I trust things will get better shortly and I can tell you're the right person to make good use of the space and turn things around in that area.
Thanks again for replying to my concern and I look forward to eating at Brick in the near future :-)
Kyle Kirkland responds to a number of questions/concerns brought up in this post. (FYI: Comment got lost in our system, so I'm posting it for him)
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Open for lunch 11-2, happy hour 4-8, dinner after events (onsite and Saroyan). For example, we're open Valentine's (Tue, Feb 14) from 5-10p or so with live piano music. And we'll start coordinating with the Saroyan/Philharmonic calendar on certain evenings.
Pricing, reasonable enough to warrent repeat traffic and the same pricing for lunch/dinner. We may add entrees for dinner and some special events (i.e. Valentine's) will have a special but still reasonable menu.
Dress code, it feels upscale but we're low key. That said, ditch the street look. We want it to be comfortable for someone 30+ in a suit or jeans, spending time with friends or coworkers. Jeans, shirt, shoes...cool. Baggy jeans, tank top, Jordans...not so cool. Other nightclub events may have specific dress codes; we'll post them.
- Kyle Kirkland
Hey Beehive wonks, can you PLEASE fix the system?
It simply will not get comments of a certain length to the author for posting...and I like to post long-a$$ comments.
Donald checked this out, sending himself a long comment and he didn't even get his own comment.
I've lost several this way, and now Kyle lost his.
Please wonk it out!
As a former patron of Hero's I can say that I LOVE this location and staff. Give them the benefit of the doubt. You wont be disappointed.
Me and the girl went there this weekend... The decor is cool, the food is still mediocre. It seems like the same menu just with some different verbiage. The menu is tiny, doesn't make much sense. And their bank account is still Hero's... makes you think!?