Several weeks ago, SLM announced that Robust co-owners Stanley and Arlene Browne were launching a new concept with Kathleen Bibbins and John McArthur, co-owners of J McArthur’s An American Kitchen, which closed after New Year’s Eve. (The McArthurs are also investors in Robust’s downtown location.) At the time, the concept’s particulars (including the name) had not been finalized. More details emerged today.
The restaurant will be called Snax Gastrobar, and it's slated to open at 3500 Watson the first week in March.
What’s a gastrobar, you ask? The Brownes consider it a broader term for gastropub, its platitudinous cousin. Restaurant owners and scribes have nearly run out of descriptors for on-trend establishments serving “elevated bar food” from “scratch kitchens” using “locally sourced ingredients.” The word gastropub has been used, reused, and misused (to the point where few self-described gastropubs actually lived up to the name), so give the Brownes credit for coming up with an apropos moniker.
Snax will focus on casual comfort food, everyday items that people gravitate to on a regular basis (“Tuesday night food,” we like to call it). The once common entrée is becoming less popular, so Snax will offer both small and mid-size portions. We understand: sometimes you're in the mood for a meatloaf slider, other times a meatloaf dinner.
Upscale comfort food is a favorite of executive chef Joseph Hemp V, who will oversee the kitchen at Snax, where he has partial ownership. “Humble food,” as the 35-year-old chef calls it, is his passion. And it’s hard to argue with his logic: “Everyone likes simple food done a little better.”
The Brownes hope to provide affordability, a lack of pretense, and a laid-back atmosphere—all key components in catering to the Lindenwood Park neighborhood.
And whereas gastropubs tend to focus on beer (by definition), the Brownes' gastrobar will give equal weight to beer, wine, and classic cocktails. The two patios (with 50 seats in front and 25 in back) will reinforce the beer garden/wine bar vibe. Plans call for interactive and board games, as well as a regular Yappy Hour for dogs (and presumably their human guests).
Snax Gastrobar is the first concept in the expansion of the Robust brand—the first of several, according to the Brownes.
