FOXBORO — CBS Sporting Club recently had its coming out party in the north end of Patriot Place.
The new restaurant, which opened in mid-July, replaces CBS Scene, which was closed earlier this year for a major renovation. The Sporting Club is smaller in scale, keeping to one floor (CBS Scene encompassed two), but still features a spacious balcony looking out onto the entrance to Gillette Stadium.
Billed as a gastro sports pub, the menu offers sharable plates such as bacon cheeseburger rangoons, meatball spring rolls and crispy wings in flavors including jalapeño soy, Buffalo, cola BBQ and salt & pepper.
There are also salads, flatbreads and entrées including steak frites (coffee-rubbed NY Strip, horseradish cream, crispy fries), lobster mac & cheese and fresh tuna and salmon poke bowls.
The 6,000-square-foot space by designer Peter Niemitz holds 290 seats with stadium-style seating, an indoor bar, updated outdoor patio and bar, 25-foot LED TV and multiple HD TVs scattered throughout.
Recently, Ed Kane, owner of Big Night Entertainment Group, which is managing the Sporting Club, discussed in an email interview how it differs from the former Scene, the type of crowd he hopes to draw and the overall vibe Big Night has sought to create.
SC: What was the main reason behind transforming CBS Scene into CBS Sporting Club?
Kane: CBS Scene had been around for 10 years and had a terrific run. It was simply time to rethink the concept and bring it forward a little bit. Using our expertise, we felt like we could rejuvenate the space and make it cooler and more hip.
SC: Was the former proving too large? It seems that you’ve essentially gone from two floors to one.
Kane: The former concept was simply a big concept. The new concept fits perfectly on one floor, particularly because we filled in the giant staircase opening which gained us a lot of extra floor space. The main body of the restaurant is still on the third floor with the most incredible outdoor space that looks right onto the stadium.
SC: What would you say is the main difference between Scene and Sporting Club, aside from the size?
I would say the three biggest differences between the two are the design of the space, which is now cozier and more tailored; the menu, which is more progressive gastro sports pub; and the fact that we have a new nightlife component that we’ve really invested in, from sound systems to lights.
CBS Sporting Club is a gastro sports pub at its core. Think progressive bar food that everyone will enjoy. The space is more open, more tailored and pretty. It also features a 25-foot LED screen which is the focal piece of the room. Still, the room feels very boutique and not overwhelming. It should feel like the most comfortable space for everyone. This design will lend itself to having a very comfortable experience in the space and at the end of the night this is a very cool nightlife spot. You can eat and drink, then stay and have a blast.
SC: What is association between CBS Scene/Sporting Club and CBS?
Kane: CBS and the Kraft family own the space and the lease. Big Night Entertainment Group simply helped rebrand it, redesign it and now are managing it.