The Madison Alcohol License Review Committee will meet Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. As detailed in its agenda (PDF), here are some of the new establishments looking for licenses.
Veritas Restaurant and Lounge is a new bar and eatery slated for 117 E. Mifflin St., the former space occupied by Mercury Cafe before a fire destroyed the adjacent building in June 2011.
In documents filed with the city, owners Nora, Antonio and Lourdes Davila describe Veritas as serving "home-style American cuisine with all food being made on the premises using local ingredients when possible," and expecting 30% of sales from alcohol and the rest from food. The anticipated opening date is listed as Dec. 21, 2012.
608 is a new restaurant and bar slated for 212 State Street, the former location of Paul's Club (which moved to the former Jack's Shoes space at 204 State earlier this year).
In documents filed with the city, owner Jonathan Enriquez describes 608 as serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a full slate of menu options, with 70% of revenue coming from food sales and 30% from alcohol. A sample menu lists hamburgers, BLTs, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, brats and hot dogs, salads and pizzas, along with breakfast items: French toast, pancakes, and egg dishes.
Further description of 608 categorizes it as serving "local ingredient-driven food" with a "limited Farm-to-Fork" menu. The anticipated opening date is listed as Feb. 1, 2013.
Blair Street Brew & BBQ is a new restaurant and microbrewery slated for 605 E. Washington (at Blair Street), former location of Full of Bull (which moved to the former Taco Bell space at 534 State earlier this year).
In documents filed with the city, owner Nicholas Sierzant describes Blair Street Brew & BBQ as having two dining rooms seating 90 and a small bar, serving barbecue at lunch and dinner and providing delivery service. The microbrewery aspect would be established at a later date. The expected revenue stream would be 15% alcohol and 80% from food, with 5% coming from "other."
Sierzant describes the barbecue as being "Mad City-style," i.e., made-from-scratch, and that he has perfected a "signature dry rub, bbq sauce, cole slaw and baked beans."
The proposed sample menu lists such items as deep fried pickles, smoked sausage, ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Even more intriguingly, the documents state that "we will ensure a quick delivery service with numerous vehicles disguised as pigs."
The anticipated opening date is listed as Jan. 1, 2013.
Mercadito Madison is a grocery, liquor store and takeout spot slated for 3559 E. Washington Ave.
In documents filed with the city, owner Alicia Navarrete hot deli items including rotisserie chickens; barbacoa, carnitas and menudo sold by the pound; tamales, tacos and fresh corn tortillas.
The anticipated opening date is listed as Jan. 12, 2013.
Sunprint Cafe, which will be moving from its present location in the glass bank (U.S. Bank Plaza) to 10 W. Mifflin St. in January, is applying for a liquor license (beer and wine) for its new spot. The cuisine at the new site will be "casual American with a French twist" 80% of sales will be expected to come from food. New weekend and dinner service is planned.
Sabor Queretano, currently serving Mexican breakfast, lunch, and dinner at 4512 E. Washington Ave., is applying for a beer license. HuHot Mongolian Grill at 610 Junction Rd., in business for several years, is also applying for a liquor license.
[Editor's note: This article has been corrected to note that Mercury Cafe was the former occupant of 117 E. Mifflin St.]
