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Contents Copyright ©2008 The HooK
Contents Copyright ©2008 The HooK
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
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Si??? Is??? Are these guys serious?
Sí
Sounds like another place with brutally mediocre music and lots of cigs. Another fine source of smokers so UVA will keep their supply of lung transplant subjects flowing in for years to come.
outskirts guy’s just a bowl of sunshine & rainbows is’nt he?
what about the restaurant? is, si, anything else besides stew hartman-mart?
[...] moment the guys responsible for Si decide to open a new music venue, the Kings Of Belmont come scampering over to put their mark on it. Oh well. It had to happen [...]
[...] Tapas, in taking over the old Starr Hill space on West Main, has apparently decided to both embrace both the [...]
Yes, outskirts guy is part of a complete breakfast with the great taste of Lucky Charms. Which would be the coolest tapas ever.
ughh…Another “trendy” restaurant for Cville..
Yea, I hate good restaraunts with interesting food. Where’s my Olive Garden.
how horrible some place to listen to music and eat good food… wow you guys must live a really exciting life
Why is the Hook so averse to the use of accents?
Well, to be fair, si-sin-acento is also a viable palabra in Spanish, and one that would make perfect sense as the nombre of a trendy late noche hangout. But since not all of us took Spanish in school, here’s a handy reference:
alt + 160 = á
alt + 130 = é
alt + 161 = í
alt + 162 = ó
alt + 163 = ú
All numeros must be entered using the number pad to the derecha del keyboard. If your alt key has been stolen and replaced with a fruta, you may be screwed.
¡Sí, se puede!
The music planned for Is is on hold for 2-3 weeks due to “a hold up with ABC” according to booking agent Stew Hartman-Mart
And now they’re back on. Flip-floppers!
I think this place sounds great!! Downtown needs to have a good solid venue for local and visiting acts. My friends’ bands Fogwater and Food For John are playing at IS on Friday the 10th. It’s guaranteed to be a great show!!! And as for Outskirts Guy’s concern, let’s just all hope they’ll make it a non-smoking establishment for all you negative nellies out there…
Vijith, is it true that IS is open this weekend??? We are suppose to play there Saturday night with The Chris Winter Band.. How come this is not listed in the HOOK??? Two totally different Blues band together for one night, what is wrong with that??
I’ve been in touch with them but they didn’t mention anything for this weekend; my guess is that they were too busy with the launch to worry about the press. I’ve just fired off another email asking for an update, and you guys can also send me the details on your own if you want.
Hi Vijith, Right now The Biscuit Rollers are going to open the show at 10pm at IS… 11:30 The Chris Winter Band will be playing until closing… Should be a good show, with Delta style blues early finishing with high energy electric chicago blues….
Thanks
jack
I’m still waiting to hear back from the folks in charge to get all the details, but thanks to Jack we know that there IS music at IS this weekend.
For what it’s worth I have found that Si Tapas in Cville is absolutely amazing and have yet to have a bad time: the food is always hot and tasty, the servers are always smiling, friendly and timely, and their drinks are outstanding from bartenders formerly of The Boar’s Head (where can you get a Strawberry Margarita made with freshly muddled strawberries?!)! I’ve never had to wait, unlike at some other tapas restaurants around here, and I’ve never been made to feel uncomfortable or looked down upon by the waitstaff. So far I’ve had the Pork Empanadas, the Broccolini (very garlicky), the Polenta Fries (very cheesy) and the Avocado fries (I used to hate avocado but these have made me a convert).
If all of this doesn’t just rope you in, they have a great happy hour with $3.50 rails and although they don’t have any beers on tap, the availability of domestics and especially micro brews is fantastic, they’re well-priced as well. Half-priced bottles of wine on Mondays? Half-priced martini Wednesdays? 20% off tapas on Thursdays with a UVa ID? How could you go wrong??
Although I haven’t been upstairs to the music venue they have plenty of bands that come through every weekend including some local favorites. And even if you don’t head upstairs, they have 2 local guitarists that come in on Fridays to play downstairs.
If you haven’t been, go and enjoy some tapas!
[...] Falsini says he’ll likely keep Magnus alive as an independent entity — which, of course, is precisely what had already established him as a major player in Charlottesville music prior to his recruitment by Roman upon the opening of IS and Si last year. [...]