The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Chalk It Up: Experience taught the owners of Willow Glen Billiards and Brew that their business's name didn't reflect its ambience. The pub is now called 'The Glen.'

Billiards and Brew changes its name, reduces pool tables, erects a divider

'The Glen' will focus on upscale ambience and five-star cuisine, says new manager

By Cecily Barnes

Less than two years after its opening, Willow Glen Billiards and Brew is changing its image, complete with an interior face-lift and a name change. Owners of the upscale billiards club decided a new name was needed to better reflect its ambience and food. As of last week, it is called The Glen.

"The name just didn't fit the place. You'd say Billiards and Brew and people think it's a joke, some sort of biker bar," said co-owner John Karamanos. "We've got five-star cuisine, some of the best food in San Jose. But you say Billiards and Brew, and people don't expect you to have that."

Four pool tables have been removed from the establishment, bringing the total number down from 16 to 12 tables, and a solid wood divide has been built to separate recreators from diners.

"The wall really detracts from the immediate sound," Karamanos said.

In a further effort to promote the dining area, Karamanos hired Rick Arcari as the new general manager. Arcari, who was previously the top dog at California Cafe, says he's working to make sure The Glen is both a top restaurant and sports recreation area. At this point, however, the restaurant concept hasn't completely taken hold.

"Everyone is out enjoying their summer vacation, but I'm still doing little things like making sure our menu is out and that the door is open," Arcari said.

Arcari is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and has opened other hotels and restaurants in the past.

"We've got some talent here; there's nobody else on the Avenue that has this type of talent," Karamanos said.

As a promotional kick-off starting in August, customers can order a four-course dinner for $21.95, a deal called "Hot August Nights."

Meanwhile, The Glen is still dealing with issues that came up before the name change, namely waiting for the city's permission to stay open until 2 a.m.

Although the Planning Commission approved the pub's late hours on a six-month trial basis last February, Karamanos says that in order to stay open, they also need new permits from the Alcoholic Beverage Control representing correct hours of operation. These permits have not yet been issued. The six-month trial period is coming to an end, and Karamanos will be required to go again before the Planning Commission to request continued approval for extended hours.

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