Under questioning from the grand jury about his involvement with Monica Lewinsky, Bill Clinton rationalized having said there was nothing going on between them by uttering the famous line, ” It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” Clinton went on, “If the–if he–if ‘is’ means is and never has been, that is not–that is one thing. If it means there is none, that was a completely true statement.”

Huh?

Fortunately, the definition of “Is” on West Main is a little more straight forward–it’s a new music venue above the new tapas restaurant Si, both of which open next week in the old Starr Hill Restaurant & Brewery space on West Main.

“Si’s owners asked me what they should put in the space upstairs,” says Stew Hartman-Mart, who’ll be managing the music venue, ”and I suggested a music venue to fill the gap left by the closing of places like the Starr Hill Music Hall and the Satellite Ballroom. We were having trouble coming up with a name, so we just decided to switch “Si” around.”

Hartman-Mart said the music venue is scheduled to be open on Thursday, October 2, the day after the restaurant’s debut on Wednesday, October 1, and would feature Sweetbriar, the Sometime Favorites, and others. On Saturday, Hartman-Mart says Trees on Fire will headline and Bird Lips will open.

The venue will feature mostly regional music, says Hartman-Mart, but there will also be international dance nights and they will occasionally bring in DJs from New York. He also says the upstairs space will be available to anyone who wants to rent it out.

As for the restaurant downstairs, Si manager Chris Dunbar says it won’t be much different than the Si in Richmond–opened about a year ago by restauranteur Mo Roman, who also owns Bank in Richmond and three other places in Fredericksburg–which serves up tapas in contemporary Latin style and hosts a pretty hopping late night scene. In fact, Dunbar says that style will be what makes it somewhat different than Mas. The menu will be slightly different as well (though you’ll be able to get bacon wrapped dates at both places), offering small plate delights like pan roasted mussels, lamb meatballs, roasted asparagus, and stuffed squid.

“We really like Mas,” says Dunbar, “but we’re going to have more contemporary platings, and of course, the music venue upstairs.”

Still, Si will have its work cut out for it going head-to-head with Mas, whose own late night scene, exceptional food, and unique Belmont vibe is hard to beat.

To head the kitchen, Dunbar says they’ve hired ex-x lounge chef Josh Hutter, who has been busy for the last few months learning the ropes in Richmond.

Earlier in the week, we had a chance to look inside the new venue, which has been completely renovated in bright Latin style–deep reds, aqua blues, jet black and chrome bar stools.

Who knows? Maybe this might be the shot in the arm that strip of West Main has been waiting for. But, of course, that will all depend on what the meaning of “Is” is after we’ve had a chance to get to know it, that is.

Updated September 29, 2008 2:47pm