The team behind "The Brickyard" cocktail bar in downtown Chandler has started construction on a second concept, a restaurant that will be housed in a 1939 cottage.
"The Hidden House" will be located on Commonwealth Avenue behind SanTan Brewing Company, a short walk from downtown Chandler's main stretch. It is set to open in early 2019.
It will offer guests the same menu in two distinct dining atmospheres -- one that is more formal with linen tablecloths and candles, and another that is casual and relaxed ("fancy up front, friendly in the back," is how a news release described it).
"My main focus always is what can I do to create something different, something unique; something I haven't done before and tie it into the Chandler community and culture," said co-owner Gavin Jacobs in an interview with ABC15.
The Hidden House
TWO DINING EXPERIENCES, ONE MENU
The front of the property will have the fine-dining experience with an open-air patio, indoor-outdoor bar, an outdoor fireplace and seating for around 50 people.
“When you walk in you're going to have a European kind of feel," Jacobs said.
There will be an additional 40 seats inside the house, as well as a hostess stand, and an indoor bar where the garage used to be.
The back will be where people can eat in a more casual atmosphere. There will be tables and booths beneath a vine-covered pergola, and a second outdoor bar. At the patio's edge, two doors will open that lead to a hangar that will house more seating (roughly 85 seats) and a performance stage.
"My focus is to create a feeling that they’re not in Arizona anymore and they forget where they are," he said.
Both experiences will share the same menu.
While Jacobs and chef Aaron Rickel are still working out the specific details, Jacobs described the overall feel as chef-driven American. He said to expect to see filet, bone-in steak, and seafood.
At the bar, he wants to elevate the traditional bar menu without forcing people to dive deep into their wallets.
He wants to "offer the customer something of a high-quality still at an affordable price," he said. "Focus on our customer. Not to price-gouge them. To give them something of value that’s a little more upscale."
The restaurant plans to have 80 wines, seasonal beers, and cocktails.
The team is also working to preserve some of the house's 1939 history. The house's frame, ceiling and roof are original to the home.
The Hidden House
