Gone are the massive fish-bowl community cocktails. Gone are the obnoxious beer banners. Sgt. Preston's is a mere afterthought after the debut this week of Republic, a new bar headed by Matty O'Reilly (of Aster Cafe and 318 Cafe).
The new bar on the block was quite the scene last Thursday night. I counted several curious neighbors in attendance, including the owners of beer-friendly spots such as the Town Hall Brewery, Acadia and the Nomad.
O'Reilly and business partner Rick Guntzel have replaced the Seven Corners staple with a bar dedicated to great beer and above-grade bar food. The 32 draft lines feature acclaimed brews from the Midwest, Belgium and Germany. I enjoyed a Wisconsin beer called Matacabras from Dave's BrewFarm (a green brewery that operates off wind power).
The food menu offers appetizers, salads, burgers and entrees you might not expect on campus. One burger is made with garlic confit, another features a red wine reduction and brie. The apps include mussels and ricotta fritters.
The duo haven't really added much. They've simply stripped away all the terrible banners and beer signs associated with a college bar. Hiding beneath was an old-school bar with beautiful stained glass and charming wood decor. Kind of like unwrapping a present.
The churn
The Walker Art Center's new restaurant, Gather, is set to open June 2 in the former 20.21 spot. The chef is Josh Brown, a Masa and Campiello veteran whose menu of "locally sourced, globally inspired modern American cuisine" and on the first Thursday of the month, a guest chef will provide a free small bite menu during a "sampling series."
