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Business & Tech

Monday Set as Opening Day for New Vintage Oaks Restaurant

Southern Marin Smokehouse, a 180-seat venue with live music, is already scheduled to host a fundraiser for Novato Youth Center.

Vintage Oaks is on the verge of having a new destination spot for dining and nightlife.

Southern Pacific Smokehouse has passed all its inspections and will open on Monday, May 2, in the location previously occupied by the Shane Co. jewelry store at 224 Vintage Way.

The 180-seat restaurant has been spearheaded by industry veteran and managing partner Rick Riess and his primary partner, Nashville recording artist and Bay Area resident Philip  Claypool. Riess previously was the CEO of the PlumpJack Group and COO of Auberge Resorts.

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Novato Patch got the first sneak peek at the menu. Look for interesting appetizers such as Andouille (sausage), hush puppies ($9) or a stack of baby back ribs ($9). Not surprisingly, there's a pulled pork or chicken sandwich with the house sauce and slaw ($13). Main courses are an appetizing mix that includes a fisherman's stew in saffron broth (market price), wood-oven pizzas ($11-$13), beef brisket with a choice of two sides ($18) and a wood-grilled New York steak ($28).

Management at the restaurant has announced its first fundraiser, a music-fueled benefit May 14 for the . Claypool will take the stage with the Smokehouse Band will and bring up some special guests such as comic/magician Jay Alexander, Americana/bluegrass artist Tim Weed and The Fabulous Bud E. Luv.

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A $50 ticket — with $30 of it tax deductable — includes food from the restaurant’s southern-style menu, wine, beer and live entertainment. A full no-host bar also will be available.

About half the tickets are already sold. To purchase a ticket online today, click here.

If you can’t make it, consider making a donation to the Novato Youth Center. Send checks to the center’s Development Department, 680 Wilson Ave., Novato, CA 94947. For more information, call 415-892-1632, ext. 250.

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