Laura Lucas

“There is no place for a quiet intimate dinner in town,” said Pam Hagman, the owner of Hagman’s Bakery and the new next door restaurant, Dine 1879.

Hagman said Dine 1879 is for two target crowds, the older and the dating teenage/college crowd. “I want this to be a place where people come for a fun atmosphere date night,” she said.

According to Hagman, the bakery has a place to sit outside called the secret garden. She wanted a year-round facility for people who miss the garden during the winter. The restaurant has an outdoor theme with plants, branches and fountains all over.

Dine 1879 will be different from other restaurants because it will have an 1879 Victorian theme. All the costumes were handmade and are authentic.

“The wait staff will be trained in 1800’s history and have their own identities from that period. It will be interactive with the past,” said Hagman.

Some people on staff have already chosen their identities. “One person is Scarlett O’Hare; she got stuck in Brookings,” said Hagman.

According to Mike Flansburg, Dine 1879 chef, the restaurant will have a “soft opening.” This means they will be open for reservations and private parties until the beginning of next year when they will be open to the public. However, Hagman strongly suggests people make reservations for the restaurant.

“We only seat 50 people and want to keep it small and intimate,” she said. “We want to give people a unique dining experience that is affordable.”

Flansburg said the menu is currently a bistro style and all dishes are under $18.79. He also said there is a wide variety in the menu. Dishes range from chicken parmesan, vegetable manicotti, shrimp scampi and nightly specials. There will also be pastries from the bakery and a beer and wine menu.

“We will test things out and see how people like them. ? Everything is fresh and made here,” Flansburg said.

Flansburg said they want to serve people a quality meal.

“We do not want to rush people while they are dining. We want them to have a fun relaxed time with a hot, fresh meal.”

Dine 1879 will be open 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Sunday brunch only. The restaurant will also be open Monday and Tuesday for private parties.