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The logo is done; the restaurant is under construction
Philip Claypool does barbecue? Who knew?
But it’s true – country-western crooner Claypool has formed a partnership including former PlumpJack Group CEO Rick Riess, and is bringing Southern Pacific Smokehouse to Novato’s Vintage Oaks shopping center late next month.
Painting and floor finishing began yesterday, and by the end of April, the space that used to house Shane Company diamond imports will be home to all-American grub and live music.
While acts will vary, in a range of Americana from country to blues, Claypool will perform, too (a rousing chorus of his 1995 hit cover of Bad Company’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” everyone, or sing along to the song he just wrote specifically for the restaurant).
According to Smokehouse general manager Nick Rimedio, the menu is still under wraps. But the restaurant name comes from the legendary Southern Pacific Railroad, and the line-up from executive chef Ryan Barnett (formerly of San Francisco’s Hotel Rex) will follow an all-American route of regional specialties through daily lunch and dinner. That means grilled and smoked dishes ranging from Southern barbecue and Texas style steaks, to California specialties such as Santa Maria tri-tip, plus local seafood, pizzas and sandwiches. At the center will be an open kitchen and a 2,000 pound hickory smoker.
Cocktails will also be a focus, with bitters made from-scratch, and a Kentucky bourbon from Evan Williams that is custom-blended for the restaurant. Riess also promises potent punches made from 300-year-old recipes, perfect for sipping on the 70-seat patio. Specialties from beverage director Alex Bachman (formally of Charlie Trotter’s and Michel Richard Citronelle) will include Mint Juleps and Pisco drinks.
The 210-seat industrial roadhouse-style eatery/lounge will gear towards the local and family crowd, who, interestingly enough, are facing more choices in the musician-turned-food/wine-maven arena lately. Rocker Sammy Hagar just opened El Paseo with celeb chef Tyler Florence in Mill Valley, while R&B legend Boz Scaggs recently debuted his inaugural Scaggs Vineyard wines from his Mt. Veeder estate in Napa Valley.
For other wanna-be musicians, by the way – The Smokehouse group is looking for local acts to showcase though its five-night-a-week schedule.
Southern Pacific Smokehouse: 224 Vintage Way (in Vintage Oaks Shopping Center), Novato; 415-899-9600 or thesouthernpacific.com.
