On Monday, Sept. 22, after 20 years in business, it’s cheerio to San Marcos’ Penny Lane Pub and Grill. With Penny’s fond exit comes a grand entrance - the opening of Inland Tavern on Thursday, Oct. 16, offering 20 beers on tap, craft cocktails, a wide wine selection and a chef-driven international menu, poised to bring the unique flavors and flare of the coast to inland North County San Diego.San Diego native Peter Zacarias, who helped open The W downtown, developed the notion of Inland Tavern with his pal, seasoned chef Rob Conaway. With Zacarias calling the shots and Executive Chef Conaway manning the kitch, Inland Tavern will be a contemporary ode to what Zacarias memorably calls the glorious beach scene of San Diego across the years - vintage tastes and tunes, with a menu inspired by Conaway’s international work and travels.
“The menu will be in constant motion with new ingredients as I meet new artisans and new flavors at the whim of myself and my team,” Conaway said. “I like to be adventurous, but never to the extreme of disenfranchising the everyday person’s palate.”
Sample menu items include Vietnamese Meatballs, Baja Chocolate Clams, Ginger Sesame Beef “Bahn Mi”, Grilled Vegetable “Reuben” and much more. When asked how they hope the community will view the new locale, the pair said, almost in unison, ”like home”.
