Wow, big (and bummer) news: just two weeks after opening PLUM BAR, consultant Scott Beattie and bar manager Michael Lazar are no longer involved with the project. I had a chance to catch up with Beattie, who said their last day was Friday. He couldn’t comment on the reason(s) for the sudden departure, but he did say he was heartbroken over it, and is feeling very disheartened after the months of work he put into the project. He said he was really enjoying the warmth, receptiveness, and feedback of the neighboring Oakland businesses and community, and was meeting some great people. He said he is going to look to the future, and hopefully find a place to relaunch this cocktail program that had him very excited elsewhere.
The Daniel Patterson Group released this official statement about the matter: “Scott Beattie has completed his agreed upon contract with Plum Bar and we wish him well as he moves onto his next project. Plum Bar will continue to evolve its seasonal, classic cocktails in collaboration with the kitchen teams from Plum and Plum Bar, under the direction of Ron Boyd. Some of this winter’s offerings include Hot Brown Buttered Rum with pink lady apple and warm spices; Pomegranate Sour with bourbon and maple; and The San Franciscan with beet juice, Fernet, Meyer lemon and wild fennel.”
