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OYSTER POINTER is a monthly publication about business in the Oyster Pointer area of Newport News, VA. More About the Oyster Pointer Publication Submit Your Ideas and Thoughts “Oyster Pointer Salutes:” Archives Request
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Brickhouse Tavern is located on the Port Warwick central square and features a diverse menu, specializing in authentic New York-style pizza in a friendly setting. “The food is great, but we really work to make the atmosphere very welcoming to Port Warwick residents, families, friends and anyone who happens to drop by. We are happy the Brickhouse is known as a local gathering spot to relax, share some conversation, or have a special party,” says Said. “We have already hosted a dozen birthday parties and two wedding receptions!” says Daroon Bargash, co-owner. Both owners proudly tell of friendships formed at the Brickhouse, sometimes with a little help from Bargash or Said for introductions. Brickhouse Tavern opened on October 11, a day very easy for the owners to remember, because it is Bargash’s birthday. “As a special surprise we opened a week earlier than planned,” says Said with a smile. The two have been friends for many years and involved with the restaurant business. Said grew up learning and living the business at his father’s Sicilian restaurant. He gained an intimate knowledge of restaurant success and potential problems. Bargash started working in a pizzeria at age 15. “Many of the family and friendships I remember growing up are related to our local tavern,” he recalls. “It was a safe, friendly place to meet friends and neighbors to talk and have fun.” “Making everything fresh also allows us to try new ideas and customize to our customers’ desires. If someone has an idea for a custom pizza or other food we are willing to give it a try. One customer missed fresh falafels so we made some and they are a success,” notes Bargash. Said and Bargash are very happy to have a successful local restaurant and tavern and don’t see expansion and growth as a big goal. They are content, at least for now, to have a friendly neighborhood gathering spot to serve good food and good times. The name of the place was picked in the same local spirit, because Brickhouse fits with a neighborhood full of brick architecture and they do have a special brick-lined oven for the pizzas. Along with the New York neighborhood feeling, the owners definitely brought some honest New York sports enthusiasm, and the tavern has several TV screens, often displaying baseball and football games. It’s a diverse crowd visiting Brickhouse, from local business people in suits and ties grabbing a bite to eat, to a Port Warwick family happily talking and eating in a corner, to the local mail carrier taking a food break in one of his favorite spots. The Brickhouse is a family affair for both owners, with the tavern often filled with family members and close friends. They are always open to meeting a few more friends. The owners know almost all customers coming in the doors and go out of their way to meet and greet everyone. Said and Bargash are usually easy to find and meet as they are working almost every day, right beside their 12 employees. Just look behind the bar, in the kitchen or cruising the tables, and you will meet one or both of them. Said is single and Bargash has been married to his wife Alwan for several years. They are expecting their first child in a few months and are trying not to think too hard about the family history of twins. Brickhouse Tavern |
Brickhouse Tavern: A New York neighborhood taste and feel