Oyster House’s Sam Mink Opening Mexican “Beer Garden”
Executive Chef Brett Naylor, Sam Mink and GM Daniel McLaughlin
Sam Mink is growing up. The owner of the popular Oyster House is opening Mission, a 4,500 square-foot Mexico City inspired “indoor beer garden and grill” upstairs from his Sansom Street restaurant. Mink is partnering with Oyster House executive chef Brett Naylor on the project that also taps Oyster House’s Daniel McLaughlin and chef Andrew Sabin to oversee Mission’s day-to-day operations. Sabin was most recently at El Poquito in Chestnut Hill and before that was a veteran of the Garces Group.
The concept is inspired by Mink’s trips to Mexico City plus his time living in the Mission District in San Francisco. Designer Hope Velocette of Chrysalis Studio is overseeing the renovation of the former Nodding Head Brewery space, exposing the original brick walls, wooden floors and beams. Skylights have been installed to allow natural light into the space and feed the natural landscape planted around the room. The beer garden will have picnic tables, banquettes and dining room seating for 160 guests. Adding to the beer garden atmosphere will be a game corner with foosball and shuffleboard. Mink says, “we’re hoping to replicate that and create a space and menu that really transports you, and might even allow you to forget, even if it’s for a second, that you’re in Center City, Philadelphia.”
The menu will feature a mix of small plates and larger platters that are good for sharing. When lunch is launched, Mission will offer counter ordering for dining in and takeout.
Mission’s beverage program will of course include a substantial number of tequilas along with mezcal. A selection of fresh-squeezed juices will go into the margaritas and sangria carafes. The beer garden will offer eight taps, four dedicated to beer, two to cocktails and one each to red and white wine.
When Mission opens this summer, it will initially be open daily at 5 p.m. for happy hour, dinner and late-night revelry. Lunch and Sunday brunch will follow shortly after opening.
Mission [Foobooz]
