Page 29 - Giv'er Miramichi magazine - Summer 2017

Pub 981 Not a Club, More than a Restaurant,

it’s a Neighbourhood Pub.

by Jamie Alexander

Having worked in cities like New York, Toronto and in the box”, and actually creating unique dishes that make
Vancouver, one of the things I most enjoy in big cities is your lips smack and your hips appreciate with every bite. The
getting to know what the folks who are native to the area regular drinks we all love are available with some new
appreciate and enjoy most. Truly, as daunting as a big city inventive tasty cocktail treats as well as wine by the glass or
may feel to some, often they are mere neighbourhood the bottle and a small scotch selection for scotch enthusiasts.
communities similar to the small towns and villages of this Draft on tap with over 20 kinds of beer will make this the
region. The folks all know one another, share the same suppertime watering hole and THE destination place to eat
schools with their children and frequent the same local haunts in the region.
or attractions. On her first trip to the Big Apple, my mother- On the design front, we wanted it to feel refined yet
in-law Antoinette was pleasantly surprised by how safe, small simple. Not so fancy that you’d feel uncomfortable but
and friendly the local neighbourhoods were. They had the designed well enough that you know it’s all about the
same small town feeling we all love about the communities atmosphere, comfort and a warm-friendly space for you and
here in New Brunswick. your friends to enjoy. We took from what we heard the locals
A few months ago, Roxanne Turnbull, a former resident talk about and love. The woods, the culture and of course,
of Neguac, decided to purchase the local pub. After 10 years moose! The moment you walk in you know you are some
it needed a face-lift. Toying with different ideas, she knew place different but very welcoming and cozy. The banquettes
locals loved their spot for a cold drink and a friendly face. line the walls from one end to the other for the ultimate in
Wanting to preserve what they loved about Pub 981 and comfortable seating and the bar is fun, with barn board clad
change what was stale, the conclusion was a complete walls and a draft tap in the centre. Not forgetting where they
revamp of the whole building. With a new concept for the came from, the bar also has a feature stage that will have
pub and with some unused space from a former pizzeria and music every Friday and Saturday night, everything from local
a re-jig of the kitchen, she was able to keep the pub and add talent request nights to big names from the region. I know
something new to the community, a café, called Tazza Caffe. you’ll want to come for an amazing meal and then stay for
When she engaged us to work on and develop the new the show!
concept for the pub, the answer was simple. Take the small You may say I am biased because I was part of the design
town feeling we love and enhance it with a big city idea. team, but truly you will want to put this on your list of places
Create a place where everyone knows your name (or at least to visit AND eat! I’ll be there for their fabulous burgers and
will do their best to remember), that has that comfortable their Canadian vineyards wine selection. What will be your
feeling like you’ve been eating there for years and feels like favourites? Want to find out? Meet me, new friends and old
it’s just around the corner. Of course, top priority, good, fresh friends at Pub 981.
and made in the kitchen food, limiting the typical “it comes

Giv’er Miramichi is published by MCG Media 29