Old Arch Brewing Co. opens in Downtown Lodi

Above: General Manager Brody Choy, right, and Executive Chef Richard Hyman of Old Arch Brewing Company on School Street pose in front of the new restaurant's bar and dining area. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Old Arch Brewing Co. opens in Downtown Lodi

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Updated: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 6:06 AM PST

Comments (15 comment(s))

After more than two years, Old Arch Brewing Co. has opened as an upscale restaurant with a full bar in Downtown Lodi.

Old Arch, in the old Woolworth building at 115 S. School St., is a block from Lodi's other brewery and restaurant, Lodi Beer Co. The new restaurant had a so-called "soft opening" last week to work out any kinks, but was opened for business on Monday.

"We opened at this time because it is the right time for us to open," General Manager Brody Choy said in an e-mail Monday. "We have the right management team and staff in place."

Choy said the price range for entrees is $14 to $30. The menu will feature contemporary American food emphasizing local, fresh, organic and sustainable products whenever possible.

Old Arch managers decided to open an upscale restaurant to attract out-of-town visitors and build on Lodi's wine tourism.

"A more dynamic, sophisticated and upscale dining venue is what Lodi needs," Choy said.

The brewery currently offers a house-brewed dark beer. A red ale is fermenting and should be available after Thanksgiving. The restaurant has other beers on draught along with a 70-bottle wine list and a full bar.

Choy, an Elk Grove resident, comes to Lodi with more than 20 years in food service. He has managed casual and fine-dining restaurants, including the Stars, Delfina, Farallon, Postrio, and The Beach and Park Chalets in San Francisco, and the Rio Grill in Carmel. He has also managed a restaurant in Singapore.

Jacqui Bazzaroni is the restaurant's designer and project manager, while Richard Hyman is the chef.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Old Arch Brewing at a glance

Address: 115 S. School St., Lodi.
Phone: 367-5799.
Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Bar opens at 3 p.m. and will remain open for an hour after the restaurant closes.
More information: http://www.archbrew.com.
Source: Old Arch Brewing Co.

First published: Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Reader Feedback

Found it! wrote on Nov 22, 2006 12:04 PM:

" We were not completely familiar with Lodi and had a little trouble finding the restaurant. The short delay was well worth it as the meal exceeded all expectation. It was so good we made reservations for this Saturday. Thanks for the GREAT food and service, you have a beautiful restaurant and an equally nice location. If anyone asks, it is right behind Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. "

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Shar wrote on Nov 21, 2006 7:28 PM:

" My husband and I were so pleased with our first dining experience at Old Arch Brewing we returned a few nights later for an encore. The comfortable interior, the superb service and the extraordinary menu added up to very enjoyable evenings. This is a wonderful addition to Lodi. "

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downtown diner wrote on Nov 21, 2006 7:17 PM:

" Went there for dinner the other night. The 2 guys in the picture were watching TV, (and us eating), with the other 8 employees while we dined alone. Imagine my surprise that one of them was the General Manager! "

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TLC wrote on Nov 21, 2006 6:44 PM:

" Our friends said it was great, especially the dessert. Where can we download the menu? "

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Can't wait to try it wrote on Nov 21, 2006 3:10 PM:

" We walked by the restaurant and were surprised to see it open. It is a beautiful building and one of the few with convenient parking. We'll be by soon to try it out. Thank you for opening such a beautiful restaurant in downtown Lodi. "

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Chris wrote on Nov 21, 2006 12:03 PM:

" My family and I ate at Old Arch last weekend and it was wonderful. Not only was the staff personable and attentive, the food was remarkable. I truly believe that once anyone goes, they will go again. "

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L Gormsen wrote on Nov 21, 2006 12:01 PM:

" Many cool things going in downtown Lodi. I hear there will be a sushi bar in the old Cottage Bakery building. More wine tasting on the horizon as well. "

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Caveman wrote on Nov 21, 2006 11:59 AM:

" Maybe this will resurrect the old Brew Fest. This brought many people from outside Lodi and does so in many communities that host them. "

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Tina Franco wrote on Nov 21, 2006 11:46 AM:

" Sensing stress, my husband asked me where I wanted to go to dinner this Friday. Now that I know you are open it's settled. We are going to try your new restaurant. Do we need reservations? "

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silva wrote on Nov 21, 2006 10:55 AM:

" Joe Silva, Sr, That's because there's nothing else to do in Walnut Grove. "

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First Starbucks now this wrote on Nov 21, 2006 8:35 AM:

" How can the city allow a brewery to open right next to an existing brewery. The is a travesty. How can the building and planning department allow this to happen. Oh yeah, its called capitalism. Let the best brew win...beer not coffee. "

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Dave wrote on Nov 21, 2006 8:20 AM:

" My wife and I had an extremely enjoyable evening at your restaurant last Friday. The meal was incredible, as was the service. We think this is absolutely great for Lodi. "

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Joe Silva, Sr. wrote on Nov 21, 2006 7:54 AM:

" I think they will do great. I come from the town of Walnut Grove and we supported 5 great resturants with barely over 1000 people for many many years now. So I think they will do great if they provide good food and great service. "

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MO wrote on Nov 21, 2006 7:04 AM:

" I agree with consumer with one exception. I find LBC to have consistently good food. It's not super high end but very good quality with enough variety to keep me coming back. There were a few hiccups after opening, but I feel that's been worked out. I like the ambience at LBC, and wish Arch luck. I'm willing to give them a shot. But I think we need more LBC-type moderately priced menu options downtown. "

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consumer wrote on Nov 21, 2006 6:36 AM:

" Arch brewery is going to be a tough sell in Lodi. Unlike LBC, Arch brewery appears to be a high end restaurant which sells micro-brew whereas, LBC sells high end beer with mediocre food. The only business which may be affected is Rosewood, but they have a strong clientele and it is doubtful they will loose any patrons as Arch has limited business hours. I don't beleive that Lodi is ready for $14-30 entries at a downtown restaurant. We'll see. "

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