Mayor to open new restaurant

Luladey B. Tadesse

When Costa Mesa Mayor Gary Monahan was 14 years old, he dreamed of owning

his own restaurant. He imagined it to be like his family parties on St.

Patrick’s Day, with lots of food, music and merriment.

Monahan used to be bartender at those parties, serving Irish coffee and

other spirited drinks to his family and their guests. Twenty-six years

later, Monahan is still a bartender. But next month, he will realize his

dream.

On June 30, Monahan is opening a steakhouse named Skosh Monahan’s. The

name derives from his nickname “skosh,” or “little portion,” given to him

by his former patrons at Henry n’ Harry’s Goat Hill Tavern.

The new eatery, at 2000 Newport Boulevard, is a joint venture with 15

partners who have created a corporation, Sandlot Restaurants, Inc., of

which Monahan is president.

“It’s not the love of cooking. It’s the good atmosphere and providing a

good time for people,” said Monahan, who will be managing the day-to-day

operations of Skosh Monahan’s.

The new restaurant will be moving into the space currently occupied by

Newport Noodle, an Italian restaurant. Before Newport Noodle, Newport Rib

Company operated successfully in the same location for 14 years.

Monahan’s background both as a restaurant manager and politician will

help him be successful, said Steve Reynolds, founder and chief operations

officer of the Yard House Restaurant in Long Beach, where Monahan has

been tending bar for the past year.

“We all want to own our own restaurants someday,” he said.

The mayor has been in the restaurant business since he was 16. His first

job was at a pizza joint while attending high school in Northern

California. Since moving to Costa Mesa, Monahan has managed several bars

and restaurants, including Goat Hill Tavern on Newport Boulevard.

That job, which he held in the early 1990s, provided his motivation for

entering politics. In 1990, the city refused to renew Goat Hill Tavern’s

permit to operate in Costa Mesa after city officials received complaints

from nearby residents about noise and littering.

After winning a drawn-out litigation against the city, Monahan emerged as

a champion of small businesses with a mission to attract them to Costa

Mesa.

And he is trying to practice what he has preached.

“I’ve been awaiting Gary’s return to Costa Mesa,” said Ed Fawcett, CEO of

the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. “Gary will do a great job. It’s a

super location.”

“I know it’s been a dream for Gary for a long time to have his own

restaurant,” said fellow City Councilman Joe Erickson. “I am pleased he

is able to follow his dream.”

Erickson said he is confident that Monahan will be able to pull off his

double duty as mayor and restaurant owner.

“I think people have to realize that being on the City Council or mayor

is like a volunteer position,” he said. “We all have to make a living for

our families. You have to provide for your family and you have to

contribute to the community.”

Monahan’s role as businessman and politician is ideal for a restaurant

owner, said Reynolds.

“Gary certainly knows all the players -- the name recognition at the

restaurant will generate customers,” he added.

“I hope it helps,” Monahan said of his reputation. But he admits he has

“butterflies in his stomach.”

“I have worked for a lot of people,” he said. “It’s time for me to see

what I learned.”