The Red Stone Pub is 'All Substance, No Frills'

The Red Stone Pub, located at 10 Mall Way in the Courtyard Building, is open for business. Repurposed barn doors, a long gleaming oak bar (with hooks underneath for jackets and purses), rustic red stone walls, roomy comfortable booths, and a big warm fireplace are the mark of this new local retreat tucked into the historic building.

“It was important to us to preserve the building and provide a setting reminiscent of earlier times in this great 1904 red stone building,” said Marc Lubetkin, one of the owner/partners with an understanding of the restaurant industry, who foresees a budding stroll-friendly Simsbury (as a result of the town charrette).

“We wanted to capitalize upon the Farmington Valley’s beautiful views, other great local eateries, the greenway bike trail, Rotary Park on Iron Horse Boulevard and the Talcott Mountain Music Festival band shell,” he said.

One of his neighbors in the Courtyard and president of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce Dennis Jacobs of D.E. Jacobs Association said, “I am truly happy that a business of this caliber has opened in our town. The Red Stone Pub has helped preserve our town’s heritage as well as provided another strong business to the economy. It is a really great place to hang out.”

Serving premium wines and liquors, the best beers from around the world, sliced to order roast beef and turkey sandwiches the pub offers a Teddy Roosevelt “square deal” in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays at 5 pm. Sandwiches are $7 and draft beers are $5.

“We are focused on basics done right. People want substance, not frills” said Lubetkin.

The Red Stone Pub, which opened Jan. 30, is a pub in a classic sense and everyone is welcome, but they are definitely catering to adults.

“Our atmosphere is designed to promote conversation. Even when we are full, you can still talk in regular voices and be heard. No blaring TV’s or blasting music. We have popcorn and peanuts to munch on while you talk,” he said.

If you are wondering what kind of appetizers they have, they are usually simple like a brie cheese plate with Mediterranean olives and multigrain crackers or roasted red pepper humus with crackers and roasted red and yellow peppers.

Opening weekend they sold out of their first dessert which was a toasted almond cup with mascarpone cream and amaretto soaked lady fingers. The beers on tap are BBC Lost Sailor IPA, Dogfish 90 min IPA, Guinness Stout, Hoegaarden, Laguinitas IPA, Sam Adams Lager, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Spaten Pilsner.

For Valentine’s Day, enjoy the relaxing atmosphere with a nice Cava by the glass (Spanish sparkling wine) or Veuve Clicquot by the bottle.

“We found the formula for creating the place people feel comfortable,” said Lubetkin.

“We aren’t a bar bar, a cougar bar, a fancy restaurant, or any number of other things. We are the Red Stone Pub. It’s a place to call home. In our first week, over 75 percent of people have been in more than once — some almost every day.”

The Red Stone Pub isn’t just another cookie cutter establishment, it has the personal touch of a place that cares for your business and Lubetkin, who along with Mark Deming, Tom Gilmore, John Hitchiner, John Klostermeyer, Lisa Hope Cooperman and Ted Weiman suggest you come and check out the pub firsthand to see for yourself. The website is www.RedStonePubs.com.