Whenever a local entrepreneur with roots in the community restores or revives a classic Sausalito building and launches a new business we want to stand up and applaud and hope that the new venture is a success. This week we have two reasons to cheer: the opening of Driver's Market, and now the opening of the Barrel House Restaurant.
In fact, Chris Henry's loving months-long remodel of the old Houlihan's and Water St. Grille space on the edge of the Bridgeway Promenade may surpass the remodel of the Trident as the best recent architectural update of a classic Sausalito space. In addition to the restoration and modernization of the building the decor features handcrafted furniture and woodwork made from reclaimed black walnut and curly maple.
And, of course, the rounded ceiling makes it feel like a house made from a giant barrel!
The restaurant's approach echos current trends in top restaurants: local seasonal ingredients and a focus on sustainability. They plan to use only grass fed beef, free range poultry and sustainably sourced seafood. Local farmers and organic producers will have their products featured next to barrel-aged cocktails and a West Coast centered wine list. Local micro brews will be rotated seasonally on tap. They also plan to hand-craft house sodas with ingredients from local farmers markets.
If you're a regular reader here at OurSausalito.com you know that we're in love with Sausalito's views, and the deck at Barrel House, as with its predecessors in the building, offers some of the most grand vistas in the County.
We're looking forward to our first meal at the new Barrel House, and a lot of great decisions have already been made by its founders.
Photo copyright: Barrel House
