Grand Central Brewhouse signs restaurant tenant

Grand Central Brewhouse, a microbrewery and beer garden under construction on Central Avenue, has signed a restaurant tenant.

LaLa Karaoke Box, a restaurant concept featuring high-end pub food with a French twist, will occupy the east side of the structure at 2324 Central Ave., said Kevin Milkey, Grand Central Brewhouse owner.

In addition to a large general seating area, LaLa Karaoke Box will have seven private rooms, giving families and friends a chance to sing in private, said owner, Lucas Herraiz.

“The concept is coming from Europe, where it’s booming,” Herraiz said. “We will have a high-tech set up in each room with a huge catalog of songs. You will be able to stay there with your friends, ordering foods and drinks.”

The concept is family friendly and designed for all generations, Herraiz said. “The goal is to have a nice place to spend time with your tribe.”

Herraiz also owns Tikanis, at 9385 Bay Pines Blvd., which serves pizza, wings and craft beer. LaLa Karaoke Box will be different, Herraiz said.

At LaLa Karaoke Box, “We will do pizza and we will do wings, but we are going to twist it to adapt to Grand Central and the downtown vibe. We won’t offer craft beer, but we will offer craft cocktails. I’m going to add a mixologist who will make very high-end cocktails, and we’ll have very good wine and champagne as well.”

Other menu items will include cheese plates, charcuterie, house-made french fries, coq au vin and a bourguignon dish, he said. LaLa Karaoke also will provide the food for Grand Central Brewhouse.

Construction is on schedule for Grand Central Brewhouse, Milkey said. The project broke ground in December and remains on track to open in August.

The brewhouse is being built on the site previously occupied by Taco Bus. The brewhouse will include a craft beer taproom and a second-story outdoor roof terrace that will accommodate about 250 people combined, as well as an open-air beer garden will be able to host an additional 375 guests. It will serve about 16 beers, all brewed on site.

The restaurant will be in a second building, on the other side of the beer garden.

Rendering of Grand Central Brewhouse & Restaurant (Courtesy of Place Architecture)