Meet Travis Brummett, Owner and Operator of The Brant Kitchen & Bar
When you think of downtown Huntington Beach, most of us, including locals, envision walks on the pier, the Tuesday night farmers market and a string of bars that you can hop to on a night out. Now, The Brant Kitchen & Bar, which opened its doors in Pacific City in 2023, is making us think of one more thing: sophisticated dining.
“My vision was to bring an elevated dining experience to Pacific City that doesn’t break the bank. Something that’s reasonably priced and that’ll have a little bit of something for everyone on the menu,” The Brant Owner and Operator Travis Brummett shares.
Brummett got his start in restaurants as a busboy and worked his way into a management role at a Sunset Beach restaurant called Romano Cucina. From there, he went to manage at Mahé in Seal Beach, not knowing that this connection would one day help him achieve his dream of opening his own restaurant.
Brummett’s hard work undoubtedly paid off, and he was quickly noticed by Mahé owners Toby Reece and Tony Andrews, who later opened Ola Mexican Kitchen in Huntington Beach and a second location in Long Beach.
Brummett shares, “Part of what I told them when I went to work at Mahé was, ‘Someday, I’m going to open my own restaurant, so I want to learn everything I can from you guys.’” Whether you call it manifestation, a premonition or even a dream, Brummett’s words came true.
After earning the role as general manager at Ola Huntington Beach, he became director of operations for the Long Beach location and then director of operations for the restaurant group as a whole.
When it was time to take the leap, Brummett wrote a business plan and presented a partnership with Reece, Andrews and Kenney Bennett. “It’s the four of us that own [The Brant] now. They’ve really groomed me and helped me accomplish my dreams and my goals of opening this restaurant,” Brummett says. “That’s how The Brant came to fruition.”
Now, 17 years after holding a bus tub, he stands proudly in the dining room of The Brant while overlooking the ocean and Huntington Beach’s iconic pier. “It’s honestly surreal—it’s been hard to really grasp that this is mine. I mean, a lot of people don’t open their first restaurant at Pacific City with the ocean view, so I’m still pinching myself that this is real,” Brummett beams. “I always knew I wanted to open a restaurant, but in my wildest dreams I couldn’t have imagined that this would be how I opened my first restaurant. It’s a blessing, for sure.”
Amidst the amazing partnerships and sister restaurants, Brummett says that Chef Ariel Mungi-Ciarrocca is another blessing for The Brant. Born and raised in Cordoba, Argentina, Chef Mungi-Ciarrocca has over 20 years of experience in the culinary industry, including running kitchens in Argentina, Brazil and Southern California.
“I think the world of Chef Ariel—he’s amazing. When we went to develop the menu, there were probably two or three things on the whole menu that I had him remake. Other than that, he nailed it on the first try,” Brummett shares. “He just really understood what we were trying to accomplish. And it’s always nice to have a chef that you admire for their work ethic and the product they put out but also really enjoy their company on a personal level.”
The nature of camaraderie and respect between Brummett and his partners and his chef can be found throughout the team, not just at The Brant, but at Ola and Mahé as well. A unifying theme throughout the restaurant group is to provide a safe and familial environment for its employees —and that positivity is apparent in how the staff treats its guests.
“We tell our team that it’s not the customer service industry—it’s hospitality. It’s like if you were going to host a party, you’d want to welcome people into your home and make them feel comfortable. When people come here, we’re welcoming them into our home, and we want them to be able to relax and feel like they’re fully taken care of,” Brummett explains.
The Brant’s high-quality service makes a lasting impression while the restaurant is turning guests into regulars with its California-inspired food and cocktail programs. Among the most popular food items are the spicy tuna tartare tacos, the fried chicken sandwich, the perfectly flaky pan-seared halibut, the center-cut filet mignon and the best steamed clams that Brummett has ever had.
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Although Brummett truly loves everything on the menu, he finds that the prime rib dip is the hardest for him to resist. “It’s really hard for me not to make that dish an everyday thing,” he laughs. “It’s so good.”
The celebration of California flavors doesn’t stop with the food—it carries over to the bar menu as well. “We have a really great craft cocktail program with a lot of margaritas and fruit-forward cocktails,” Brummett says. The Brant also offers a selection of wines (be sure to check out the Captain’s List) and beers on tap, and don’t be surprised to find local brands like Flashpoint Brewing Co. and Dos Boots Mezcal.
As a born and raised Huntington Beach local, Brummett continually strives to represent his hometown and the Mahé-Ola legacy with excellent service, a memorable menu and an unforgettable experience. “I want people—even if they’re coming from Huntington Beach—to come here and feel like they’re on vacation,” he shares.
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Food
At The Brant, the menu is best described as coastal California cuisine that accomplishes Brummett’s ultimate goal of serving customers delicious, elevated food that won’t break the bank. Ranging from tasty light bites and sandwiches to succulent steak and seafood dishes, The Brant has something for everyone.
Decor
You’ll find lush materials, natural accents and rich tones of blue, camel and orangewood throughout the restaurant, all of which perfectly complement the panoramic ocean views. Brummett teamed up with his wife, Natalie, and contractor Mark Handian to create this ambience and keep it in line with his vision.
Price Point
It’s important to Brummett that The Brant’s menu is as accessible as it is elevated, so the price ranges between items depending on your order. Sandwiches hover around the $20 mark, house specialties range between $30 and $65, and all of the handcrafted cocktails are $18 or less.
Overall Verdict
The Brant Kitchen & Bar is a must-visit restaurant if you find yourself in the HB area. Located on the top level of Pacific City between Ola Mexican Kitchen and The Bungalow, it’s the perfect place to start or end your day spent with your sweetheart, your best friends or your family.
The Brant Kitchen & Bar
21058 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste M250
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.369.2915
@thebranthb
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
