KATIE D.I.D. BLOG

Last weekend, Tim and I were on a bike tour of some of the LEED certified buildings around the midtown area of Sacramento. It is always fun to be out and about on a sunny day taking a closer look at Sactown. Without the tour, we would not have come upon Block Butcher Bar quite so soon. Located in the MARRS building on 20th Street, it has a pretty small storefront......but the place is deep. Square footage-wise, but also in its commitment to the best of locally produced charcuterie.

Brought to you by the owners of neighboring brat and beer destination, LowBrau, Block Butcher Bar is "......darker, sexier, even dangerous to a certain extent" says proprietor Michael Hargis. It does have a moody vibe....and for me, the atmosphere does play a major role when I go out to eat. I like well designed spaces to go along with my well designed food! HERE is an excellent article to give you the flavor of the food and drink from Sactown Magazine. But I am here to give you a peek into the space itself.......

The building itself used to be a warehouse that was transformed into the MARRS building (Midtown Art Retail Restaurant Scene) by developer Mike Heller and friends. It is now a destination spot for midtown life and activity. Block Butcher Bar is the newest of the cool spots to be found in this neck of the woods. The building has maintained the concrete floors throughout and Block has taken full advantage here while adding their own take on industrial deconstructed cool.

The owners brought in Steve Tiller of Reclamation Art and Furniture to create all of the custom furniture from the smooth as silk walnut and steel banquet seating, to the live edge communal table to the swivel bar stools. In my humble opinion, the artisans and designers of restaurants in general do not get quite the slaps on the back they deserve. My hat's off to them!

They added the raw lath to the walls, and a steel framed enclosure for the exhibition space .....

You can see more of the live edge walnut at the bar front....and a concrete bar top....

And one of my favorite accents....the meat hook light fixtures... Perhaps that is the danger Michael was referring too? (Or it could be the fine collection dark spirits behind the bar!.....aka whiskey!)

Any way you slice it, Block Butcher Bar offers up an impressive meal for the senses. Aesthetically top notch, and my mouth is just as pleased!

Hop on over to the Block Butcher Bar facebook page for the latest.....and if you need a little take-out, the front deli counter can fix you right up.....