News

No RSVP Needed: Carleton Grange Pub
June 01, 2006
Kristine M. Kierzek
Full Article: No RSVP Needed: Carleton Grange Pub

Where: Carleton Grange Pub

WHEN: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. weekdays, except for Mondays, 5 p.m.-2:30 a.m. weekends. (Adding lunch service June 8; then, it will open at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday)

ADDRESS: 3807 S. Packard Ave., St. Francis

PHONE: (414) 747-9669

WEB SITE: www.carletongrange.com

WHAT IT'S LIKE HERE: This brand-new spot, just off Lake Drive on Packard Ave., in a onetime industrial building is modeled after the traditional English pubs owners Michael Rusch and Eric Ellsworth frequented during their student days in England. Drawing on a love of soccer, English beers and socializing, the partners brought a bit of Britain back, naming the pub after their former residence hall and international hostel, Carleton Grange. Imposing a "no neon" policy, the duo imported wooden beer signs and some original signage from London. Inside, the dark oak paneling, fireplace and clay chimney tiles are warm and cozy, while windows opening to the patio give the space a more open feel. While popular with a range of ages - you'll find after-work crowds, couples and family diners giving way to younger late-night groups - the "library" area has become what Rusch called the "chill-out corner," drawing more under-30 types. Seating for 100 or so is available in the newly landscaped beer garden, with its charming pergola screening the not-so-charming views of power lines across the way.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DRINKING: English beers rule the roost. Not only are beers available as either English (20-ounce) or American (16-ounce) pints, but the pub typically serves them in the appropriate glassware to match the beer. You'll find 16 beers on tap, including an exclusive London's Young's St. George's Ale, plus Stella Artois, Guinness and Young's Double Chocolate Stout, along with Miller Lite, Bud Light and New Glarus Spotted Cow. Maintaining another aspect of English pubs, shandy drinks that include lemonade mixed with beer tend to be popular with women. For purists, the pub emphasizes a pour for beers such as Guinness, Bellhaven or Double Chocolate Stout which includes a routine of filling glasses halfway, letting them sit briefly and then completing to get the full flavor.

KEEP IN MIND: Until 10 p.m., things are kept food- and family-friendly and a no-smoking policy is enforced at the bar top (most of the dining area is also non-smoking). "If you come up and order a drink at the bar, don't bring your cigarette with you. I don't want my bartenders having to deal with it. . . . People want to enjoy a meal at the bar, and they don't want to sit down to a meal with smoke in their face," said Rusch. If you're unsure, ask and servers can point you in the direction of the limited smoking area, or head out to the patio. Food includes traditional fish and chips served daily (though following Milwaukee tradition, it's most popular on Fridays), the signature Grange Chips (steak fries and a selection of toppings), warm sandwiches called "pub toasties" and a selection of pizzas baked in the imported wood-fired oven. Although soccer is big here - Carleton Grange will be showing all the World Cup games live - you can also catch most international sports on the pub's flat screens. Plans call for adding a quiz night with a master of ceremonies later this summer, and on Aug. 1 the owners plan to open the Churchill Room for private functions.