After numerous delays, the tropical-themed eatery will open in
the Old City Hall building
Gilroy – Hidden in the back halls of Gilroy’s newest restaurant, amidst sombreros, palm trees and brightly colored airplanes, are black and white photos of an old government building in its 20th century heyday.
While the exterior of old city hall still matches those pictures – minus the pink and purple flags and a large neon sign that reads ‘Chips N Salsa’ – the interior has been transformed into a tropical hut with flare.
And after months of delay and continued court wrangling with the prior lease-holder, restaurateur Jim Angelopoulos has announced that his vision is complete and he is ready to open Jan. 9.
“It’s about time,” he said. “I’m excited and looking forward to it. When you open a restaurant you’re always nervous trying to please everybody. I’m very excited to be part of the downtown revitalization.”
Patrons entering the new restaurant, located at 7400 Monterey St., will notice a mannequin in a wet suit standing in front of an inflatable raft. Inside, they will have their choice of dining in the main area tied together by a Spanish tile fountain, or in a courtyard with walls bearing a jungle-themed painting.
Each table has Corona ice buckets that, for $15, can be filled with six bottles of beer. In the upstairs banquet area, Angelopoulos has hung pink flamingos from the ceilings and painted a surf scene on the wall.
“The menu is authentic Mexican cooking,” he added. “Everything from scratch – even the corn tortillas are made in house.”
Angelopoulos has not had an easy time transforming the historic building into a tropical paradise.
He originally planned to open in June, but was forced to obtain a new liquor license for the site after months of wrangling with former lease-holder Glen Gurries, whose Old City Hall restaurant folded in December 2004 after a year in business.
Angelopoulos has now been sued by a bankruptcy trustee representing creditors who hope to salvage money from Gurries’ failed enterprise. In addition to legal headaches, Angelopoulos ran into trouble with city planners, who ordered him to restore the tan color of city hall after he painted an exterior wall hot pink.
Angelopoulos, who expected to begin training staff next week, said the restaurant will be open seven days a week, from 5 to 10pm.
“We’re only going to be open for dinner right now to get it off the ground,” he said.
