The Scotts Valley Junction shopping center may be on its way toward becoming a destination for lovers of local libations with the recent opening of the Hophead Public House — a gastropub designed to, as owner Jay Patel says, “make craft food and craft beer accessible.”
A first-time restaurateur, Patel says that his establishment, housed at 18 Victor Square, Suite B — a location known for a string of pizza restaurants — will take on a new approach to its menu.
“Our menu is short and sweet. Quality over quantity,” he said. “I’m going to give you food made from ingredients that are growing right now.”
Aside from a few staple items, such as the signature pulled pork fries and beer-battered fried avocado, the menu will change every few weeks to introduce new, seasonal items — a chance for Patel’s three chefs to stretch their creativity.
“Everyone has their own specialty,” Patel said. “I found three guys who are each capable of running their own kitchen.”
Sharing the stage with the food is the selection of craft beers. Patel said that his goal is to serve a wide variety of locally brewed microbrews as well as offerings from around the state.
“We have 10 rotating taps and beers by the bottle,” he said, adding that as the restaurant grows, he plans to double the number of taps. “We’re in start-up mode — using whatever equipment was left (by previous businesses).”
Already in the stable of beers available at Hophead Public House are local offerings from Soquel-based Discretion Brewing, Scotts Valley-based Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, Santa Cruz Ale Works, as well as exclusive, limited-run productions from Escondido-based Stone Brewing Company.
“I believe in supporting local because we are local — those partnerships mean so much,” Patel said. “It’s an honor when a high-quality brewery allows us to do that.”
In addition to beer, wine produced less than two miles away at Scotts Valley’s 37th Parallel Winery is also available — as are a collection of organic sodas.
“The goal here is to have an alternative for everyone,” Patel said.
For Patel, the Oct. 1 soft opening of Hophead Public House represented the culmination of a yearlong search, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Patel, who walked away from a career in business to pursue his goal of opening a restaurant a year ago.
He said that his search drew him to Scotts Valley, following both the dollars as well as what he described as gut instinct.
“Everyone here is so nice — positive vibes all around,” Patel said.
The interior and exterior of the restaurant is, as Patel describes “always under construction” as all of the signage and interior artwork is designed by either Patel himself, or one of his 12 employees.
His staff, Patel said, has been the key to getting everything off the ground to create the food, the service, and the ambiance.
“If the service isn’t there, then it’s not enough,” he said. “I’m here to serve, and this is where we chose to serve.”
It was on Monday, Nov. 3 that Patel hung the sign on the storefront — that he’d made himself with a blowtorch.
“It was a big moment for us,” he said. “I’m so happy to be here.”
For more information about the Hophead Public House, visit www.beahophead.com
