Phoebus Flourishes

Three businesses are opening this autumn in Phoebus, all with different ways to tempt the palate.

Fox Tail Wine Bar will open in September. The concept is the brain-child of Chris Fox and several partners, Antonio Diaz, Fernando Feliciano, and Morgan Dircks. The partners share a connection to the military.

Patrons can sample wines by purchasing flights of wine. With each one, cards will explain the wine including what grapes were used, whether it was stored in wood or stainless steel, bottling process and suggests food pairing.

Glasses and bottles of wine will be available for purchase. Wine bottles to be consumed off premise can also be bought.

“If someone comes in and says they have steaks to put on the grill or lamb chops and wants to know what we have to pair well with it, we can advise them,” Fox said.

Plans are to install a kegerator to have Prosecco (a bubbly wine) to make wine spritzers.

Food will be available including charcuterie plates, pizza and wine pairings plus robust foods. The chef is Justin Ramos, who has worked at several Michelin star restaurants, Fox said.

The idea came while Fox was stationed in Europe where he visited several wine bars one in particular, he liked, was an underground wine bar.

The Phoebus building will keep with its 1902 roots. He has several reclaimed metal art pieces to give it “an industry farm look.”

Activities he is considering hosting include a book club, morning yoga and paint and sip nights.

1865 Brewery, Not Just Brewing Beer

The 1865 Brewery will open in October – just in time for Oktoberfest.

The new brewing company, on 9 Mallory St., will offer a variety of balanced beers made with seasonal fresh fruit, all-natural products and a unique blend of hops from Poland. The beers will be a broad range of styles, including recipes with coffee and CBD.

“It is important to the brew master and the owners (William Comer and Whitteney Guyton and partner Carey Daniels)

that the beers are a balanced brew,” said Malaika Karriem, spokesperson for the brewery.

Brew master Randy Jones has two decades in the industry that include stints at Palisade and Black Sky Brewing in Denver, and a brewing degree from the Siebel Institute.

However, this brewery is not just about beer. It will also offer a full-service espresso bar loaded with products from Column 15 in Williamsburg and an assortment of pastries from a local bakery. The brewery’s classic, industrial look serves as a nod to the rich history of Phoebus. There will be an outside patio as well.

Food service will be provided by food trucks. Karriem said there will be a monthly food truck calendar posted.

The name of the brewery was chosen because 1865 is the year African Americans were freed from slavery and it’s also fitting that this area was a Union stronghold in Virginia during the Civil War, said Karriem. Both owners of the brewery are Black.

“Freedom is something everybody strives to achieve and so that’s why 1865’s tagline is freedom starts here because the owners want to recognize everyone’s journey towards liberation and honor that,” she said.

Downtown Comes To Phoebus

Dana Clark Epstein and Phillip Epstein, the owners of The Grey Goose in Downtown Hampton, are expanding to Phoebus by opening Baker’s Wife Bistro and Bar.

Set to open in mid-October, it will be on the corner of Mallory and Mellen. It will offer French and American style food.

The restaurant will also feature wine club, happy hour, hand crafted cocktails and world class dinner and brunch.

“The atmosphere will feature historical architecture with a modern flair. Featuring a beautiful 34-foot long golden quartz bar and absolutely beautiful lighting,” said Dana Clark Epstein.

Why did the Epsteins chose Phoebus for the second venture?

“My great grandfather and family had their business in Phoebus fairing back to 1908, Phoebus is in my DNA! It’s a great community with energy and a vibrant restaurant scene,” she said.