- Gary McAuley
- Posted On
Lakeport's Old World Tavern to celebrate ribbon cutting Oct. 3
LAKEPORT, Calif. – One of downtown Lakeport's newest businesses will celebrate its grand opening and ribbon cutting this week.
The celebration for Old World Tavern, located at 175 N. Main St., will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce will host an event for chamber members from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the celebration opening to the public beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Albert Menchaca and son Quintin opened the tavern's doors July 13 in the building that formerly had housed Molly Brennan's.
The Menchacas came from Sacramento.
Al Menchaca hadn’t always planned on owning a tavern. Originally, he had pursued his childhood dream, which culminated in a 25-year career with one of the largest US printing companies.
But all good things come to an end. “The writing was on the wall,” he said, as the company had been steadily failing for some time.
So he and his son began to think of what they might do when the day eventually came.
The company filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors Jan. 15. By then, the Menchacas had formulated a plan: open a tavern.
Al Menchaca said the printing company left him “high and dry.” So, he sold every possession he had and literally used every cent to move from Sacramento.
He looked all over the state and finally settled on Lakeport.
“I didn't find Lake County, Lake County found me,” Menchaca said.
A visit to Lakeport convinced Menchaca it was the place, thanks to the friendly people and the building itself. Menchaca fell in love with the building, which he said offered an affordable space.
After several months of hard work and remodeling, the tavern features fresh paint inside and out, new lighting and signage, and an old world ambiance that suits its name.
Menchaca is enthusiastic in sharing the Old World Tavern philosophy: “We’re not here to offer what I want; we are here to give the customer what they want.”
For this reason, he said they will be open to suggestions from their patrons. The tavern's motto is: “A little different, a little better.” He explained that he wants his customers to have a unique quality experience they can’t find anywhere else.
Old World Tavern offers a full selection of premium draft beers – 30 in all, of which 12 are on tap. That includes traditional European beers and a good selection of regional micro brews as well,
“Our Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout is brewed locally,” he said, adding it's “uniquely complex because it is aged for three months in recycled oak barrels used to store the bourbon.”
They also offer spirits and fountain drinks. Menchaca plans on introducing “old time” retro cocktails such as the martini, Manhattan, sidecar, French 75, gimlet and, of course, the old-fashioned.
He splits bartending duties with David Liebhauser, a professional bartender from New York.
Beyond drinks, Old World Tavern offers an ever-growing and evolving menu of hearty foods at reasonable prices. Menchaca said the menu will have traditional “stand by” dishes like a New York steak, a Caesar salad and a variety of hearty soups.
They also offer new items like the Euro Burger, which he said has become their signature dish. It's a mix of ground beef, pancetta and salami. “It's very flavorful,” said Menchaca.
Other menu items included beer-battered fish and chips, fresh cut potato fries, and bangers and mash.
Twin brothers and Lake County natives Corey and Casey Crawford oversee the kitchen. Corey is the head chief and Casey is the day chef. The brothers grew up in the Lakeport area and graduated with honors from Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Sacramento.
To ensure the quality control Menchaca wants, he has a professional and seasoned staff that has been trained and has worked throughout the country.
“Everything is made and served fresh daily,” he said, adding his chefs plan to incorporate local, organic produce whenever possible, and prepare dishes with what’s currently in season in Lake County. “We don’t even have a microwave in the building.”
Quintin Menchaca is the establishment’s manager. He is a musician and has an education in music engineering, so “he does well seeing how everything fits together,” his father said.
Al Menchaca believes “personality fit” is key in making a successful work environment, and notes that his staff has already “gelled” quite well together.
Business, he said, has been “steady and steadily increasing,” with customer feedback including an appreciation for the atmosphere.
Menchaca thanked Workforce Lake for providing the necessary office space and equipment needed to conduct interviews, “I couldn’t have opened without them.”
Old World Tavern, 175 N. Main St. in Lakeport, is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Contact: telephone 707-263-7777, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Visit the tavern on the Web to see a full menu and upcoming events at http://oldworld-tavern.com or check out the tavern's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-World-Tavern/164020147106124 .