GILROY
– Old City Hall on the corner of Sixth and Monterey in downtown
Gilroy has reopened. In May 2003, the City of Gilroy entered into
an agreement with two experienced restaurateurs Daniel Barduzzi and
Glen Gurries to take over the lease on the building. The partners
have bold plans to make Old City H
all, an epicurean destination.
GILROY – Old City Hall on the corner of Sixth and Monterey in downtown Gilroy has reopened. In May 2003, the City of Gilroy entered into an agreement with two experienced restaurateurs Daniel Barduzzi and Glen Gurries to take over the lease on the building. The partners have bold plans to make Old City Hall, an epicurean destination.
In October 2003, the two restaurants opened. The Courtyard Grill offers casual dining in the bar and the courtyard. The Clocktower offers fine dining with a California French flair.
Plans are underway to make Old City Hall a unique culinary adventure. In addition to two dining venues the facility offers valet parking, premium dining spots within the historic structure, a future wine “incarceration room” where patrons will be able to store their own premium wines, restrooms located in the old jail cells, storage of the restaurant wines in the old city vault and a fully remodeled courtyard with a fire pit, a wood burning oven, plenty of plants and trees, space heaters, a gazebo and romantic lighting. A full service bar, an extensive wine list and a resident sommelier complete the offerings.
The Old City Hall also has three banquet rooms. On a regular basis, it will have entertainment and special events such as wine dinners and gala events.
Eventually the Old City Hall will be home to the Central California Culinary Academy. This two-year program will include training in restaurant management, food preparation and wine appreciation. Students will be able to specialize in front of the house operations (the restaurant) or back of the house operations (the kitchen). A firm date for the opening of the Academy has not been set pending completion of a nearby facility.
Along with the restaurants and the Culinary Academy, Old City Hall will open a bakery and a wine center. Eventually cooking classes and wine appreciation seminars will be offered to the public. In cooperation with other downtown developers, plans are underway to open a kitchen supply and several gourmet food stores.
Old City Hall in downtown Gilroy is truly becoming an epicurean destination.
The Clocktower
The Old City Hall in Gilroy is an elegant building. Dining at The Clocktower is an elegant experience. The table setting, the service, the ambiance and, of course, the food all have that elegant yet comfortable feel. The Clocktower is situated on the south side of the Old City Hall looking out on the street through large windowed doors that once gave hand-drawn fire-carts shelter.
The menu choices are varied and the prices are reasonable. Diners have been heard to say that they feel like they are dining in San Francisco. The Clocktower offers a full bar and an extensive wine list. The Sommelier Alexandre Andrieux will even help you pick the perfect wine.
Be sure to save room for an exquisite desert. Welcome to fine dining in Downtown Gilroy!
The Clocktower is open seven days a week from 5:30 p.m. until closing. Reservations are highly recommended (846-8880).
The Courtyard Grill
The Courtyard Grill at Old City Hall offers casual dining in a comfortable setting. The Grill actually offers three different seating choices. Inside diners can enjoy the casual elegance of the granite bar and large windows into the courtyard. The tree filled courtyard is the second choice. Space heaters, a wood burning pizza oven imported from Italy, fountains, an open gazebo, plants and subtle lighting add to the comfortable feel of the Courtyard. The third seating option is around the fire pit. The round design and warmth make it a perfect place to have a drink and an appetizer while enjoying good company.
The Courtyard Grill is open seven day a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Special Events Rooms
Old City Hall has three banquet rooms. Each room had a very different function when the building was the city hall. A small private meeting room for 8-10 is located in the old Council Chambers. A room for 40 is in the Justice Court, formerly the jury trial room. The large Assembly Hall will hold 140 was a community meting room. Large sliding doors allow for the combined use of the Justice Court and the Assembly Hall.
Several menu options, room layouts and entertainment options are available in the banquet facilities. Call the Banquet Coordinator at Old City Hall -848-6540 to make arrangements.
