Without Fanfare, Pomp & Circumstance Opens in Old Town

Friday night, Pomp & Circumstance quietly swung open its doors for the first time to guests along Wells Street in Old Town. The venture, inside the former Kamehachi space, comes from the owners of the Hubbard Inn and Barn and Company.

There's no signage hanging from the black-painted brick building but there's a mural with the restaurant's name visible to passersby on the north side of the building. Ownership wants the atmosphere to be part beatnik, part "Mad Men." So don't wear those fedoras indoors.

Ashok Selvam

The menu's a farm-to-table throwback concept, offering daily dinner and weekend brunch. Bison tartare and foie gras mousse highlights the starters. Veggie options include a black bean burger (avocado creme, grilled relish, pickled onion) and sunflower-crusted tofu (red quinoa, radish salad, lemon garlic aioli, sprouts).

Regular menu staples like a Pomp burger and a crispy half-chicken appear. But the roasted pork belly (corn puree, fried okra, pickled Fresno peppers, apple glaze) sticks out. Check out the full dinner menu here. Biscuits and gravy, plus brioche French toast are featured at brunch. Here's the brunch menu.

Thirteen classic cocktails appear on the drink menu, including the "North Park Ave." (Teeling Irish Whiskey, Punt e Mes Vermouth, Luxardo Maraschino, Regan's Orange Bitters). There's also two larger format drinks under "24-ounces of pure happiness." Check them out here.

Pomp and Circumstance, 1400 N. Wells St. Opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Open for lunch starting at 11 a.m. on Friday. Weekend brunch starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.