Local restaurant to open new location in this ICONIC building

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Basil's on Market, which operates restaurants in Troy and downtown Dayton, is headed southward to a high-profile location, and has plans to add even more eateries.

“We are opening our third Basil’s on Market location in Mason,” Basil’s co-founder Jeff Finkelstein told this news outlet. “We have recently purchased the building that was formerly Brazenhead Irish Pub. We will be transforming this building into a Basil’s on Market.”

RELATED: Brazenhead Irish Pub shuts down after death of its owner (June 2016)

The former Irish pub at 5650 Tylersville Road — which shut down in June 2016 — will seat 165 on the main floor, and has a bar that seats 20 inside and 20 outside on the patio. And that’s just a start, Finkelstein said.

The Brazenhead Irish Pub in Mason is looking to build a reputation as a family-friendly restaurant, according to the General Manager Bruce Worth.

icon to expand image

“We will have the ability on two different levels to host parties from 150 to 250 each while still operating the main floor as our normal restaurant,” the Basil’s co-founder said. “The bar will have three garage doors that open up. The full patio will seat around 100 people and will include fire pits and lounge furniture.”

ALSO NEW TODAY: Christmas Dining — Dayton-area restaurants that are open on Christmas Day

The new restaurant will have the same menu as the Troy and Dayton restaurants.

Basil’s on Market will open a new location in Mason in early 2018. FILE

icon to expand image

“This is an exciting time for us at Basil’s as we will be introducing ourselves to the Cincinnati market,” Finkelstein said. “This is kind of a homecoming for me as for I grew up not far from Mason. We are excited about bringing something new to the community and giving them something that is independent and local, and not a chain.”

RELATED: New restaurant overlooking river coming to downtown Dayton (February 2016)

Basil’s on Market’s founders are looking to grow further into the Cincinnati and possibly Northern Kentucky market by 2021.

“Our goal is to have four or five restaurants by the end of 2019, including one back in the Springboro/Centerville corridor,” Finkelstein said.

The 12 Best Restaurants in Dayton

If there are no construction setbacks, the new Mason restaurant could open as early as March. Plans are in the works for an online auction for the contents of Brazenhead Irish Pub, which will include its bar that was custom-made out of reclaimed Irish wood.

The Chili Lime Spicy Pulled Pork Tostada from Basil s On Market in Troy. File photo by VIVIENNE MACHI

icon to expand image

New tavern catches flak, but stands by its ‘no kids’ policy

Basil's on Market's downtown Dayton restaurant, which overlooks the Great Miami River at 312 N. Patterson Blvd. at East Monument Avenue, opened in July 2016. Basil's on Market opened its first restaurant in 2014 at 18 N. Market St. on the Troy downtown square.

• Staff writer Kaitlin Schroeder contributed to this report.

About the Author