Pounds now plans June 8 opening in Fargo

FARGO-Pounds, a new restaurant and bar setting up in the former Beefsteak Club space in downtown Fargo, plans to open for business by June 8.

As recently as late last week the plan was to open June 1, but there has been an unavoidable hitch, according to Scott Motschenbacher, formerly executive chef at Beefsteak Club and now one of three owners of Pounds.

Motschenbacher said they have been doing the remodeling work themselves and due to various reasons the project has taken longer than expected (they were originally shooting for a mid-April opening).

He said the restaurant's menu will be items made from scratch and include favorites like burgers, sandwiches, salads and flatbread, though with a new, "dressed up" list of ingredients, including kimchi, a fermented cabbage. "It's a Korean thing," Motschenbacher said.

For those hungry for the traditional, customers can still get a basic American burger, he added.

"We want to make sure everyone can come in," Motschenbacher said, adding dishes will typically be in the $8-to-$12 range.

The other partners in the business are Alan Kasin and Brandon Herz.

Herz was the sous chef at Beefsteak Club, and Kasin was the front-house manager.

The business has four distinct rooms, including an upper level in the back that has a view of the bar and restaurant below.

All four areas will have seating for dining.

The business will open daily at 11 a.m., except Sundays when it will be closed. The kitchen will stay open until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

As the new owners did demolition and worked to get the space ready for opening, they discovered a number of interesting items, including an old letterman's jacket that appeared to be from the First Avenue bar in Minneapolis.

It had a name inscribed on it-Easy Mark.

So, Easy Mark, wherever you are, "We've got your jacket," Motschenbacher said.

Business profile

Name: Pounds

Where: 612 1st Ave. N., Fargo

When: Plans to open June 1

Hours: Opens at 11 a.m., Monday through Saturday, kitchen will be open until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.

1/2: New lighting and original metal ceiling tiles provide atmosphere in the new Pounds bar and eatery. Dave Olson/The Forum

2/2: Pounds will feature food with a “dressed up” list of ingredients, including the Korean fermented cabbage dish, kimchi. Dave Olson / The Forum