Perfect Rack Billiards – Now Open

Located at 1186 Edgewood Avenue the highly debated billiard parlor has opened on The First Block.  I stopped by Saturday night after realizing they were open and they had quite a crowd for a new business.  I went by again yesterday hoping to meet the owners and get their opinion on the controversy surrounding the establishment.  I’ve followed this development from the planning procccess and documented the opposition that the owners of the building faced while trying to convert the old Wood’s Pharmacy to an upscale billiard parlor.  Well, the time has come to see if all the uproar was worth the trouble.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gary and Amy Goff the owners of Perfect Rack Billiards, a pleasant couple that plan to manage the billiard parlor until they can get their feet under them.  I got the impression they were genuinely surprised by the amount and ferocity of  hostility they encountered from the neighborhood and the planning department over their intended use of the building.  With all of that in the past it is time to see if the hard work and tenacity of the Goff’s can make their vision come to fruition.

The space itself  has a  simple but elegant decor with a seated bar area and 11 brand new Olhausen pool tables.  There are 5-6 flat screen televisions on the walls so you can catch sports or news.  There is little to no wall decorations, the owners are trying to decide certain themes.  One wall near the bar will be dedicated to local artists displaying work for show or sale.  Also tucked away in the corner are two electronic dart boards, maybe I can convince management to switch these out for genuine dart boards where you have to actually keep your own score. 

The floorplan is virtually identical to the one I previously posted that was submitted to the building department.  A cool aspect about the bar is that they reclaimed wood floors from the second floor and refurbished them to finish the top of the bar.  Pool is $4 per person per hour which seems reasonable considering the quality of the tables to be played on.  From 11:30-2 pool is free with the purchase of lunch and Friday and Saturday children under 12 play free while accompanied by an adult.  Those types of specials confirm what the Goff’s had envisioned, a family friendly environment. 

There is a modest menu consisting of burgers, wings, and sandwiches that will be expanded as demand dictates.  They serve beer and wine but liquor is prohibited due to restrictions imposed by the planning commission while approving their exemption application allowing the desired number of pool tables.  Council for the Goff’s have told them that after 6 months or so of positive commerce they can go before the appropriate government agencies to try to get a full liquor licence and loosen other restrictions currently imposed on the establishment.  Some of those have been noted before:  no live music, closing time is midnight sharp, no exceptions, two off duty police officers required Friday and Saturday nights, etc. 

All in all the Goff’s said they have received positive feedback.  A majority of the surrounding business owners have embraced Perfect Rack and Gary from Edgewood Bakery has even come by to offer support.  The main thing that I took away from my meeting with the Goff’s is that they understand this is a neighborhood.  Not just some strip mall to plop a pool hall in…this is Murray Hill.  All of the staff hired at Perfect Rack are from the neighborhood and represent Murray Hill well.  They were all super nice and accommodating. 

I am glad that I took the time to listen to what was being said and not blindly opposing the billiard parlor.  Hopefully we will all look back and agree that a diverse First Block is a prosperous one.

Pictures to come soon…

1171

The Hill checked out the new restaurant 1171 on Saturday night not to be disappointed.  Luckily I made a reservation because it was crowded at 8:30 despite the nasty weather.  The place was larger than I had envisioned with a bar area on one side of the room and seating for dinner on the other.  If I had to compare 1171 to another restaurant I would say it closely resembles Bistro AIX in ambiance, prices, and quality of food.  The menu is all a la carte and you can request half orders of the entrees for reduced prices.  I had a Caesar salad and the filet for my main course.  I always start with the basics at a new restaurant because if you can’t get those right there is no need to take it any further.  There was a full liquor bar and a decent wine lists where you could purchase by the bottle or the glass. 

Again the food was very good and although it is a fairly new establishment the service was respectable.  I hope these qualities are consistent.  The Reservation Chophouse started out with the same vigor but the service started out shaky and never improved causing their ultimate demise.  I’m excited to have a new dining option on The First Block and hope the neighborhood will support 1171.

Billiard Parlor Update

The following is the floorplan for Cue’s & Brew’s that I pulled from the permit set of plans.  Cues & Brews Floorplan

Does anyone have an opinion on the storefront windows that they have put in?  A stipulation to the planning department allowing them to have a billiard parlor was that they not have dark or tinted windows.  I appears to me that they have just that.  I will take a closer look.

Cues and Brews Billiards Lounge coming to The First Block

Some of you may have noticed construction progress at 1186 Edgewood Avenue, the old Wood’s Pharmacy building.  This project has been controversial to say the least but is in the works regardless.  I pulled the permit plans from the Building Department to see what is being constructed and it is in fact a billiard parlor.

It appears that the first floor will be developed now with the second floor being prepared for future development.  The reason for this could be many…financial reasons, zoning or permitting issues, or the commercial real estate market.   The original plans show construction on the second floor but it was eliminated at some point indicating to me that it could be for zoning or permitting issues, but that is my speculation.

The first floor shows 10 pool tables throughout with a bar area in the middle and seating and booths around the perimeter of the area.  I wondered about the gaming machines that have been the main source of controversy with this project.  There is one area that shows chairs and a counter against the wall that could be used for gaming machines but there was no indication on the plans of such machines.  The failure of The Games of Atlantis that opened and closed a few doors down hopefully will deter the owner of installing gaming machines.  There is also a kitchen on the first floor indicating that they will be serving food or some sorts.  I am trying to contact the owner to get some concrete information on their ultimate goals and intentions.  I will update when I am able to due so.

I am personally looking forward to Cues and Brews and hope Murray Hill will welcome the new neighbors and support them unless their intentions and establishment dictate otherwise. 

Aurathai Now Delivers

If your looking for an alternative Oriental food delivery establishment, look no further than Aurathai. 

A sign on their front window boasts delivery and I called to confirm.  You can call in an order for lunch and dinner.  They don’t currently have strict area boundaries, but you do have to order a minimum amount of food. 

For Murray Hill, Riverside, and Avondale the minimum is $25.  Outside of that (Ortega, Westside, and even Downtown) the minimum is $35.  I should have pressed to find out if they consider Springfield part of Downtown but I didn’t want to get into that debate. 

So when you feel like having a night in you can still get some decent spring rolls and padt thai.

Aura Thai on the Music Scene

Check out this post from Urban Jacksonville.  This one slipped by I need to get back in action.  Good looking out Schmiles.

Thai in Murray Hill

We checked out Aura Thai last night for the first time.  Pleasantly surprised is the assessment.  It has been open for about two months on the First Block across the street from Moon River Pizza.  I have been hoping for an alternative to Italian food here in Murray Hill. 

After spending about five minutes at the bar we were seated and enjoyed a bottle of wine and some pad thai.  I wanted to compare the food to Pom’s in San Marco and Aura Thai held it’s own.  The staff could not have been better and the atmosphere and décor was unique to Murray Hill. 

Autrelle, our waiter informed us that later in the evening around 10 pm there would be a live jazz band.  On the weekends Aura Thai boasts itself as a lounge with live music, thai tapas and a thorough wine lists.  Definitely A Hill recommendation.