The Ground Floor: Restaurant as a social experiment

Had Brian Vogelgesang waited a few more days before snagging the liquor license attached to the former downtown Iowa City home of One-Eyed Jakes, a newer city ordinance would have kept his, or any other new business in that spot, dry.

“I got a hold of the license a couple days before it expired,” Vogelgesang said. “If it had expired, no one would have been able to get a liquor license in that space ever again.”

Instead, Vogelgesang - an Iowa City native who's been working in the Los Angeles movie industry for years - got into the vacant space at 18 1/2 Clinton St. just in time. And, this month, he's planning to debut a gourmet eatery geared toward the average “mature” customer.

The Clinton Street Social Club is a gastropub that marries typical pub fare and atmosphere with high-end cuisine.

“It makes a lot of sense in today's economy,” Vogelgesang said. “I think people are looking for places with quality offerings without the pomp and circumstance of true high-end cuisine or gourmet restaurants.”

Vogelgesang said he believes there's a gastropub market in Iowa City because he has found himself craving that type of joint during his trips back to town. He's been looking for something wedged between a dive bar and a high-priced restaurant geared toward adults who don't want to compete with college students for a good after-hours drink and hangout.

“We are trying to give the mature audience a reason to come downtown at night that isn't a college bar,” he said.

Vogelgesang, who owns a handful of rental properties but hasn't run a retail business before, said he was introduced to the property about a year ago and dug into a massive renovation of the nearly century-old building's second and third floors. He crafted a new bar, built a kitchen, tore down dry wall to expose the historic brick of a wall that once advertised “Drug Store,” and uncovered once shuttered third-story windows overlooking the Pentacrest.

“The building has been a big challenge,” he said. “But that's part of the charm.”

Recent city zoning changes require a 500-foot gap between drinking establishments - defined as businesses with liquor licenses that are open after midnight and focused on serving food or alcohol.

Because existing licenses were grandfathered in, Vogelgesang can serve alcohol at the Clinton Street Social Club. He said his Des Moines-based brother, a certified sommelier, is crafting the drink menu, while chef Kenneth Tuttle, formerly of the Linn Street Café,  created the food menu and manages the kitchen.

Together, Tuttle and Vogelgesang have devised what they believe is an affordable, unique menu with different sized plates aimed at striking a balance between high-end and comfortable pub fare. There's the bacon-seasoned popcorn, braised goat sliders and duck sausage corn dogs.

“You can come in and spend $15 and have three different medium-sized plates and small plates,” Vogelgesang said. “It's the best-quality food you can get in this part of the world, and it's approachable economically.”

Prices can come in as low as $3 for house-made hush puppies with creole aioli and top out at the most expensive entrée, a hanger steak priced at $16.

The eatery, which also is planning to host jazz music on Fridays and folk and blues on Saturdays, is planning a soft opening on Thursday. A group of select diners have been invited to taste some of the restaurant's signature items.

The restaurant will open to the public on Friday, and Vogelgesang said he plans to offer discounts for restaurant industry employees who come in after 10 p.m. or any time on Sundays.

“I hope this functions as a social club for all walks of life that have an appreciation for good company and interesting space and good food and drink,” he said. “I hope to see steel workers sitting next to professors.”

Owner: Brian Vogelgesang

Company: Clinton Street Social Club

Address: 18 ½ S. Clinton St., Iowa City

Phone: (319) 351-1690

Website: Coming soon. Listed on Facebook

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., with a limited late night menu from 10 p.m. to midnight or later, seven days a week

Staff size: 30 to 35 people minimum

Favorite menu item: “The corn dog, I'm really crazy about. It's a good metaphor for the attitude of the place.”