Come for the cocktails, stay for the vibe at new Ripon eatery channeling vintage Hollywood
The Falcon’s Lair isn’t just a restaurant. Nor is it just a bar.
Instead, the newest eatery in Ripon is, as its owner happily declares, a “vibe.”
Think cushy chairs and dark walls and gold highlights and extravagant decor which are all meant to whisk you to another time. Owner Moe Willey, whose family runs the popular Gold Dust Pizza locations around the region, has opened her dream spot in her hometown.
The new restaurant-lounge is a tony looking, but relaxed feeling place that serves small plates, a few favorites and lots of craft cocktails. But really what Willey hopes it serves is endless ambiance.
“It’s hard to sum up (Falcon’s Lair) with just one word. Really, it’s a vibe,” Willey said of her Canal Boulevard space. “It’s a vibe that we don’t have here in the Valley and something I wanted to bring to our Valley. I want people to be relaxed. I don’t want them to be in a rush.”
Since buying the 6,000-square-foot building last September, Willey and her team have transformed the former Canal Street Grille space into an upscale speakeasy complete with personal touches from home. A pair of nearly life-size bronze goddess statues from Willey’s house greet guests, and the massive hostess stand was originally purchased to be her family’s bar.
Both cut a grand figure in the lobby, where customers choose one of two paths — to the left to the dining room and to the right to the lounge. In the dining room they’ll find tables and rich booths that can seat around 150. The lounge fits another 75 people (including on the attached outdoor patio) in stuffed chairs with low tables across from a 29-foot Carrara marble bar.
Old Hollywood touches throughout new Ripon hotspot
You’ll probably also notice all the old Hollywood touches inside right away, including posters and photos from famous Golden Era films and stars. Then, of course, there’s the name. The Falcon’s Lair was the name of 1920s Hollywood heartthrob Rudolph Valentino’s famed Hollywood Hills estate, where he would throw star-studded parties.
Since opening in late March, the Lair already has had repeat customers including Ripon resident Erin Danforth.
“We love it. Between Sacramento and who knows where there is just no place like this,” she said. “This is a breath of fresh air. I don’t have to go to Sacramento or San Francisco or anywhere else to get this atmosphere.”
Willey said they’ve been purposeful with how they operate as well. The lounge and restaurant have a large staff of 60 employees who are alert and attentive. The space also doesn’t have any televisions showing live programming, like sports or the news. Instead whatever screens are scattered around show old silent-era pictures.
The dining room has a stage in the back, and Willey said they’ve already begun to bring in local jazz performers to provide mood music. And they don’t accept reservations on purpose, because that would mean people would feel hurried to get out for the next guests.
“I want them to enjoy great music, fine cocktails, great food and one another,” Willey said. “That’s something we’re missing in society. We don’t take the time to enjoy one another and really talk. Off of our phones. Not watching TV. But just enjoying time with one another.
New menu includes small plates, burgers, pizza and more
Plus, why would you want to watch anything else when the cocktail menu alone is filled with entertainment. The lounge has more than a dozen signature drinks — some like the smoked old fashioned that comes with a built-in show as they twice fire the whiskey in front of guests. Others like the lavender gin fizz are almost too pretty to drink — almost. Specialty cocktails run $14 to $15, and the bar is stoked with other top-shelf options all served by nattily dressed bartenders.
While the food may not be the main attraction, it’s still a feature presentation. The menu has about a dozen appetizers and small plates, from a share-size charcuterie board to lamb chop lollipops, oysters on the half shell and poke nachos (ranging in price from $10 to $35). The only entrees are its Bel-Air Burger ($17 with fries) and their specialty or build-your-own pizzas (which run from $19 for a small to $31 for a large).
Willey’s attention to detail even extends to the faux newspapers that the fries and pizzas are served on. The “Hollywood Herald” front page includes a prominent post about the Falcon’s Lair. In the end, she said, she just wants a place for friends, neighbors and everyone else to enjoy and unwind in style.
“(Ripon) is where we live, where our children grew up and live and we wanted to give back to our hometown,” she said. “So come for the vibe, don’t come for any other reason. Bring a friend that you like to talk with, or maybe somebody that you’ve been trying to talk with — maybe a daughter or a son. Just come in and enjoy time together.”
Falcon’s Lair, at 1225 Canal Blvd. in Ripon, is open 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday. For more information call 209-599-9999 or visit relicincorporated.com/falcons-lair.
