Coffee House, Barbecue Joint and Bar Combo Coming to the Gaslamp

A new duo of concepts, due in the Gaslamp this summer, intends to feed the neighborhood from early in the morning until late at night. Set to sharethe 8600-square-foot corner space at Sixth and Market that most recently held Blush Ice Bar + East-West Kitchen are Spill the Beans and Smoking Gun — a daytime cafe paired with neighborhood restaurant and bar — from the Verant Group (True North Tavern, Uptown Tavern). The projects’ managing partners, Aron Langellier and Dave Jones, are key players on the hospitality group’s team while executive chef Kevin Templeton is the longtime head chef of Verant Group’s barleymash.

Catering to early risers is Spill the Beans, a coffee house that will feature a drink menu fueled by local roasters and a food program anchored by freshly baked “California-style bagels” in non-traditional flavors ranging from habanero and jack cheese to pear, vanilla and cinnamon, and bacon and white cheddar; the bagels will feature in breakfast sandwiches or served with housemade spreads, including compound butter and cream cheese in flavors such as red chile garlic, agave and vanilla, and caramelized shallot and chive.

Bagels will also factor in at Smoking Gun, the adjacent bar and restaurant that will be open until 2 a.m. daily, starting service at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. With a name inspired by the shooting range that was once housed in the building’s basement, Smoking Gun will feature a drink list ranging from boilermakers to craft cocktails and a menu centered around smoked meat, from beef brisket, pulled pork and ribs, that also spans to include hearty vegetarian-friendly sides like white cheddar grits, stuffing with mushroom gravy and molasses-baked beans.

Langellier told Eater, “We’re excited to bring a dual concept that offers locals and tourists a great spot for coffee and bagels in the morning while creating a refreshing place that you can stroll into for ping-pong, small plates, fresh juice cocktails and great music in the evening.”