CLASS AT 'THE BRASS'
Josh VisnawEditor's note: This is the third story in an occasional series on local businesses that have established themselves as hallmarks of the Mount Pleasant community.
Downtown Mount Pleasant is home to a restaurant with a big-city atmosphere but a small-town feel.
A darkly lit smoke-free restaurant with live music, full bar and dinning room, The Brass Cafe and Saloon, 128 S. Main St., offers the opportunity to enjoy two atmospheres in one building for a night out with friends, a romantic date or celebrating a special occasion.
"A number of students come here who miss this type of environment from back at home," said Owner Susan Paton Pyecroft.
The Brass has a lunch, dinner and bar menu with more than 60 craft beers - microbrews and imports - and a wine list with more than 75 bottles.
The restaurant opened nine years ago in December in the 120-year-old building after the previous restaurant closed.
Paton Pyecroft moved from outside of Philedelphia to Mount Pleasant 22 years ago at CMU for her doctorate in history.
Paton Pyecroft and Chef Owner Emma Currie both found their passion for catering while attending CMU.
"I love it and find a lot of value in it, so when the restaurant closed I thought to give it a try," Paton Pyecroft said.
They decided to create a way to make The Brass have a unique appeal to the public.
"We are new American cuisine, with an old Mount Pleasant feel," Paton Pyecroft said.
The menu changes with the seasons to offer new, fresh and different types of entrees, she said.
A new menu for the fall will be coming out next week. The menu will be focusing on comfort foods.
Currie said the restaurant constantly looks to contribute to the community.
"Being a small restaurant we're able to focus on local needs and food," she said.
Pork and beef come from sustainable farms and are all natural and hormone free.
The Brass features specials and events to create a warm, welcoming environment.
"We offer great options for community-based events that are limited outside of the college," said Jamie Pyecroft, bar manager.
Currie said The Brass strives to have a friendly environment with the best quality food. She said the kitchen staff have a passion to get things right.
"We're not a corporate face - I'll go out to the table and talk to (the customers) if something is wrong," she said.
Currie said she loves to be able to look into the restaurant and know more than half of the customers. It's great to be able to know customers enough to have their drink on the table when they come in, she said.
Human environmental studies associate professor Tanya Domina said The Brass is a great place to go and relax in a friendly environment with colleagues.
"By 8 p.m. for dinner a lot of professors come down here," Domina said. "About 80 percent are CMU administration people."
Paton Pyecroft said The Brass is also a great atmosphere for college students and encourages students to give the restaurant a try.
"We're not super formal. We're a great place to have a special date or just a night experience with burgers and beer," Paton Pyecroft said.
People may think The Brass is pricey, but it has affordable lunches and the bar menu all day, she said.
The Brass is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays
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