San Ramon’s Brass Door restaurant – an extended dining room for local families in search of a prime rib dinner and a friendly place to celebrate a special occasion since the end of World War II – is calling it quits, its owners have announced.
The homey venue is planning to go out in style, offering loyal customers items from a menu honed over decades and paired with selected local wines during a final Christmas Eve dinner.
“Despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure or renew a lease for our location, and we must bring this chapter to a close at the end of that day,” the restaurant’s owners announced via social media.
The landmark structure at 2154 San Ramon Valley Boulevard began life as the 8/5 Club at war’s end, serving up an elegantly simple menu of steaks and fried chicken to local ranchers and traveling salesmen making their way to San Jose on “Highway 21.” The restaurant’s clientele grew steadily with owners Mick Schlesinger and Dick Basso taking command in 1955, patrons quickly learning their servers remembered their name and that “The Door” was a good place to mark an anniversary or birthday.
“While this chapter comes to an end,” the owners wrote for their farewell message, “the spirit and legacy of The Brass Door will remain strong. We hope that one day we may reopen in a new home and welcome you back to a new chapter of this beloved establishment.”
Statement from 8 To 5 Properties, LLC Regarding Brass Door Closure
We can now confirm recent reports that the restaurant business operating at 2154 San Ramon Valley Blvd in San Ramon will soon be ceasing service and departing the premises. 8 To 5 Properties was only recently informed of this development.
We want to reassure the legions of the dining public who have come through that brass door for 80 years — we fully intend to honor the history and legacy of our landmark property.
It was 1946 when Henry “Shorty” Schlesinger began serving Anchor Steam Beer and fried chicken in a 20-seat roadhouse he called “The 8 To 5 Club.” The rest is a long and eventful span of history.
We hold a deep appreciation for our patrons and their support that spans generations. We also wish to applaud the innumerable staff, past and present, whose time and talents contributed to all that the Brass Door has come to represent.
We recognize this news may be unwelcome and unexpected, but we have only just begun exploring new opportunities for one of San Ramon’s oldest and most beloved establishments.
We ask for your patience while we take some time to put a finger to the wind and chart the best possible course for our neighbors, patrons and the community of San Ramon.
Until that time, we must refrain from further comment. Thank you for your understanding.
Thanks, Nancy, for the post. We’ll try to remain patient (hard for us), and wait for developments. Best of luck.
The plot thickens!!
Hate to see great old businesses go under and hope that’s not the case here.