Ground floor: Builder seeks new challenge with Cedar Rapids restaurant

By Deborah Neyens, The Gazette

Mike Hintons new business venture represents a big change from what he is used to doing.

For the last two decades, Hinton has worked in the home building and remodeling industry as president of Hinton Construction. In December, he opened his first restaurant, 101 Gastropub, in Cedar Rapids.

So what led Hinton to his latest business pursuit?

One of the bigger reasons was to have something else to work on during the cold winters, he said. Its something Ive been wanting to do, a new challenge.

Hinton, who had been exploring the idea of opening a restaurant for about five years, decided to act when the First Avenue SE building that formerly housed Deanoz Sports Bar and Grill came on the market.

Everything fell into place, Hinton said. It was the right size, there is plenty of parking and the big key there is a lot of traffic by here every day.

Hintons initial focus was a familiar task remodeling. In about 12 weeks, he stripped the interior, added a new bar and woodwork, and doubled the size of the kitchen.

Hinton said he wanted his establishment to have more of a focus on food, which is why he decided on the gastropub concept. A gastropub is a cross between a pub and restaurant that serves craft beer and higher-end food and liquor.

Along with burgers and other standard pub fare, 101 Gastropubs menu features items like smoked duck and bacon truffle macaroni, while a members-only barrel club provides access to exclusive scotch and whiskey offerings.

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Ground floor: Builder seeks new challenge with Cedar Rapids restaurant