Haven Gastropub Opens Its Doors to Half-Million Foodies

The unique restaurant and bar is a first for North Orange County, taking pub grub to an all new level.

Orange, CA, September 24, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Haven Gastropub officially opened its doors Friday, September 4, in the heart of Historic Old Towne Orange. Offering a unique pub meets gourmet grub concept, the highly anticipated opening coincided with the annual Orange International Street Fair, which drew a record-estimated 500,000 attendees throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The vision of owners Jeff Hall, Wil Dee and Ace Patel, Haven is fashioned after the trend-setting gastropubs (a British term blending gastronomy and pub) that sprouted throughout London and neighboring countries in the 1990s. A revival of the public houses of former generations, the idea behind the concept was to provide a place where friends and family could gather in a warm comfortable setting and enjoy good conversation with quality food and spirited libations.

A celebration of food from around the world, the street fair with its numerous food and craft vendors spread throughout the city’s historic plaza district (Orange Circle) provided the perfect backdrop for Haven to make its presence known as attendees meandered the streets in search of the next palate pleaser. Many event-goers found Haven a pleasant surprise, escaping from the heat of the day and relaxing with a cold handcrafted brew.

“Everything came together beautifully,” commented Dee about the rush to open in time for the fair. “We opened the doors to our target demographic and it’s been a non-stop celebration ever since.” Dee and Hall, whom split management responsibilities, along with Haven’s Le Cordon Bleu trained Executive Chef Greg Daniels share over thirty years of collective restaurant and bar experience.

“It’s all about quality and substance and offering something different,” said Hall, who met his co-partners and chef while learning the trade at various Orange County restaurants. “We all shared the same passion for great food, drink and camaraderie.” It is these basic, albeit defining principles upon which Haven bases its credo.

The menu, created by Daniels offers a blend of old world European fare with a modern American twist. The result is a refreshing combination of treasured dishes from across the pond fused with familiar stateside staples from house-cured Corned-beef Sliders with garlic aioli and warm cabbage slaw, pan-seared Hangar Steak with cabernet demi-glaze to Mac n’ Cheese with black truffles, and Braised Short Ribs, slow-cooked with Firestone Union Jack IPA and served with roasted garlic-carrot puree.

Each menu item is made using farm-to-table fresh ingredients with dishes prepared entirely from scratch. While each is a specialty, items such as the Haven Burger, piled high with red peppers, arugula, red onions and St. Agur blue cheese is already a town favorite. Same for the housemade Fries and Potato Chips, soaked in ale and fresh seasonal herbs and served with aioli dipping sauce or fresh-made ketchup, also Haven’s own. The affordably priced menu ($5-$20), will also entice with a full selection of delectable desserts, including delicious housemade ice cream.

Paired to elevate and compliment the overall dining experience, handcrafted microbrews including Belgian varieties are offered alongside a distinct selection of boutique wine and single malt scotch and whiskey. No less than fourteen handcrafted beers flow on regularly rotating taps, including Weihenstephaner Original Lager from the world’s oldest brewery (Est.1040). Beer flights are also offered, as well as over 35 bottled beers from around the globe.

Guests have the option to dine at comfortable mid-level tables, as well as intimate booth seating, surrounded by cobblestone covered walls and rich dark woods. The mood is further punctuated with rustic wrought-iron chandeliers, and partially exposed open ceilings, as well as the undeniably relaxing aura of flickering candles and open fireplace. The look maintains modern appeal with an old-world feel. Guests may also cozy up to the forty-foot distressed wood bar where a particular unique feature includes two very distinctive bulbous corners that jut out at either end. The unique bar top allows a few extra seats at the corners and provides more intimate face-to-face conversation. Sports fans pay particular attention to a pair of fifty-inch plasma screens perched within a handsome back bar supported by aged copper encased pillars. The overall resulting décor throughout the airy open bar and restaurant is as warm and inviting as the hospitality.

For those in search of a community-friendly restaurant with pub atmosphere and a gourmet dining experience, Haven Gastropub is a prime destination. Located at 190 South Glassell Street, Old Towne Orange, CA. Hours of operation are 11am-2am daily. Walk-in welcome. 714.221.0680 / havengastropub.com

Media Inquiries: Rob Hallstrom 714.473.7033 / rob@714media.com

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