Pizza Gallery-owned gastropub set for November opening at the Avenue Viera

Ask Kyle Hash to define "gastropub," and he'll give you an answer. 

"I've always considered it to be a food-centric bar," said Hash, currently the executive chef for Pizza Gallery & Grill, but soon to be helming the kitchen at 28 North.

But really, he's hoping guests will come up with their own definition after visiting and, hopefully, becoming regulars.

Pizza Gallery owner Chris Coneen is shooting for a November opening of the bar/restaurant next door to his long-time Brevard establishment at the Avenue Viera. To get the buzz going, a sign now hangs on the window asking: "What is a gastropub?"

Originally, 28 North, named for Brevard's latitude, was planned for two units at the Avenue formerly occupied by a flip-flop shop and a sandwich shop. Then the bath and body products shop next door to Pizza Gallery closed, and the decision was made to take over all three units to create a 4,200-square-foot space.

28 North will occupy another 1,000 square feet outside.

Hash is hands-on with the design of the new place. He wants it to be somewhere people can get a great meal without the serious atmosphere of a fine-dining establishment.

"Really good food at a decent price," he said. 

The interior scheme calls for dark wood and an open kitchen, so guests can watch the chefs at work. There will be a small bar inside, maybe 12 seats, because Hash wants the bartenders to be able to concentrate on making high-quality cocktails. Local breweries will be represented on the taps.

Pizza Gallery in Viera now serves Sunday brunch

A market space will be set up near the entrance, where Hash's house-made pickles and hot sauces will be available for sale.

An outdoor dining area will be set up in front of the restaurant, and a larger patio area out back. 

"We're gong to utilize that big oak tree (in the courtyard square behind 28 North and Pizza Gallery) for lighting," Hash said.

But the menu is where Hash will shine. He's planning a slate of regional classics, like fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, with a contemporary twist.

"Brevard doesn't really have a food identity," he said. "I want to take a little bot of everything, because Brevard County is a little of everything."

He's especially excited about the pickles and bacon he'll be curing. He's perfecting the recipes for both.

Think the Pizza Gallery is just about pizza?

There will also be a huge concentration on taking care of customers.

"We're trying to bring a greater focus on hospitality and less about service," he said. "It's really hard to make somebody feel like they were really taken care of. We're going to work to make that the norm."

Hash said he's hoping to time the opening to happen in conjunction with Pizza Gallery & Grill's 29th anniversary on Nov. 3, but he's also being realistic. It's hard to predict how long construction and permitting will take. 

"Be we definitely want to be done before the holiday rush," he said. 

Email Leonard at sleonard@floridatoday.com.

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