Browns Socialhouse at 1165 Mainland in Yaletown closed yesterday and will soon reopen as a new concept called “Hub”. They’re still going “upscale casual”, but will lean on a menu of comfort food classics. The staff will dress down, too. Gone are the ubiquitous all black outfits. The new look? T-shirts.
Anyone else think it’s a bit unnerving when a downmarket casual restaurant like Browns feels the need to go even more downmarket? Yikes. The next thing you know, Earls will start asking if we want things super-sized and the staff will don pajamas.
Full menus for Hub after the jump…
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It’s ok to sit outside in the Summer at Brown’s, I’ve never found the interior that appealing – too TV centric. The menu was limited and service, well it was more of a dating ground for staff than actually catering to customers.
I don’t see this as a downmarket restaurant going more downmarket, I see it as Brown’s having to totally start over again. They tried to copy Cactus, but that clearly has backfired with poor food quality and locations that were not thought out. Hopefully they will all be gone soon.
Ummmm, you do know that Earl’s ALREADY has a super-size right? They already ask “Do you want that Earl’s Size?”
Oops. I honestly had no idea.
Prime Rib just on Sundays & Mondays. That’s outside the box.
There is sooooooooooooo much wrong with that drink menu: it’s just painful.
I see @ least 3 description errors on the wine list…Hub, l’m available for list consultation!
That is a seriously hilarious drink list!!!!!
Is this menu really a downscale version of Browns, or just the same kind of dishes at the same prices. Here’s a Browns menu:
http://brownsrestaurantgroup.com/brownssocialhouse/files/2009/09/BS-Menu_10.09.pdf
Seems more like the same kind of food, same prices.
Would suggest that they are rebranding to try to pull out of a dive.
Same shit, different name.
I just noticed that Brown’s was gone today as we walked by. Key word is walk by. I’ve been to Brown’s (at 3 locations) and been to the one in Yaletown about 4 times – starting with when they first opened, then again for when I thought the opening jitters were out.
As a very established (semi-retired) hospitality professional (in operations and culinary experience), it won’t matter how many ‘revisions’ they come up with. The food has always been mediocre at best (and horrible at worst). The service has been non-existent (and even their attempts at attractive servers is dismal!)
Save your money and time, and try other places.
If you want downscale but good in Yaletown, try PHAT (hot sandwiches) or FUSE (fresh stir fries), and if you want sophisticated and trendy, there’s Glowbal (great variety) or Blue Water (Excellent seafood).
There’s my two cents.