Another new restaurant/bar is headed for Fresno’s Brewery District. Here’s what we know
On the heels of news that Palo Verde Bakery is moving into a prime spot in downtown Fresno, another new business has gone public with plans to move into the same historic building in the Brewery District.
The people behind downtown’s rooftop bar Quail State and natural wine bar Saint Joaquin have signed a lease and will open a tapas bar in the Fulton Street building’s storefront.
At 736 Fulton St, the former Sun Stereo Warehouse is more than 100 years old. It’s across the street from Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co., in the heart of the Brewery District.
Owned by developer Reza Assemi and tech entrepreneur Jamin Brazil, the pair are just finishing up renovating the building and putting portions of it up for lease.
In addition to the bakery, the tapas bar will also open on the ground floor serving cocktails and tapas – shareable small plates inspired by California and Spanish dishes. Another three spaces are still for rent.
The tapas place will be named Isle of Wolves, a reference to the last names of the couple who own it, Josh and Hayley Isla-Wolf.
Tapas/food
“This place will be more food focused than Quail State is,” Josh Isla-Wolf said, with cocktails that pair well with food.
The interior will be designed by the same person who did Quail State.
Think, “Gothic quarter Barcelona meets arts district L.A.,” he said.
They’ve hired Chef Matthew Lee, who’s worked at restaurants in Napa and created the menu at Quail State. Quail State has a limited menu, prepared across the street at a nearby restaurant, the food carried up the elevator in metal boxes.
A full kitchen will be installed at Isle of Wolves and the business will probably offer a free dish with the first cocktail, Isla-Wolf said.
It will have a small private room for special events but generally, seating will be first come, first served so guests can pop by to get something to eat or drink while hitting up other Brewery District hot spots.
If all goes as planned, it will tentatively open in summertime of next year. It hours will be noon to midnight.
When it opens, it will be the third business downtown run by the couple. How will they handle all that?
Each has strong managers who handle the day-to-day business, allowing the Isla-Wolfs to focus on growing the businesses, Josh Isla-Wolf said.
For example, they are gearing up to expand hours and add coffee drinks at Saint Joaquin, the wine bar in the Peerless Building at Broadway and Amador streets.
“We’re so grateful that we have such a great team,” he said.
This story was originally published October 26, 2021 at 11:24 AM.
