One13 Social moves into Carlisle social scene

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Patrons of the restaurant formerly known as “Brick”, located at 113 West High Street Carlisle, often remarked on the noise factor in the restaurant. So, when Chris Rice, Steve Capone and Kevin Rockwood took over the space to open One13 Social, the first item on their agenda was to invest in soundproofing. As part of the transformation, they affixed chair glides to the legs to keep the chairs from squeaking on the wooden floor when diners arrive and leave. Installing tufted booths didn’t hurt either. Most ingenious, however, was the addition of the art that festoons the walls and doubles as sound panels. 

The space, which accommodates approximately 125 customers and opened in January, was designed with the help of Julie Estes, owner of Carlisle Design Interiors & Consulting Group. Estes said that it was important to the owners to introduce local artwork to the community.  

“Because of that, we worked with the Carlisle Arts Center to bring in some original work,” she said.  

Customers may also wonder about the large painting of the gentlemen who oversees the wooden bar in the back seating area.  

“That would be my grandfather; my grandmother painted it,” said Estes.  

Even the bathroom reflects touches of the local community.  

“A local florist took pictures of her flowers and we made it into a mural for that space,” said Estes, adding that wood panels were also brought in and used around the restaurant to contribute to the biophilic design.  

A midcentury modern aesthetic is achieved through lighting that is comprised of pendants, sconces, and sputnik chandeliers. Perhaps that’s what the owners had in mind when they named “The Draper,” a cocktail made with Bulleit rye, Averna amaro, orange bitters and a Luxardo cherry.  

The attractive and imposing wall of windows in the back bar evolved into something even more dramatic when hanging light fixtures resembling a cluster of sunbursts were installed.  

Rockwood said that he and his partners, who employ a staff of 35, are happy to be investing in Carlisle. “They own the building and I was born and raised here in Carlisle. Both of them have children that attend school here, so we want to do our part to make this a positive part of the Carlisle community,” he said.  

Rockwood is no stranger to the restaurant industry, having worked in restaurants since the age of 15, most recently serving as the general manager of the Boiling Springs Tavern. 

The globally inspired one-page menu at One13 Social consists of small plates like Korean BBQ ribs and grilled oysters, a selection of salads like Kale Caesar and poached pear, and sandwiches like the softshell crab po’ boy and the Carwood Smash Burger comprised of roasted garlic aioli, cooper cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and bacon, served on a Brioche bun. A selection of six entrees rounds out the menu and include scampi gnocchi, salmon au poivre and Argentinian flank steak.  

Sourcing stays local too, according to Rockwood, who mentions purveyors like Talking Breads in Mechanicsburg and Carwood Farms in Boiling Springs as just two of the local businesses with whom they work. 

Rockwood said that their house cocktails have been well received and include the Carlisle Sour, the Jalisco Margarita, the aforementioned Draper, the Bella and the Lemontini. Beer is served by the draft, can and bottle and wine selections hail from places like Italy, France, Spain and, of course, California. 

“Carlisle has a great history, from Dickinson College to Penn State Law School and all the independent businesses that surround us. We’re happy to be a part of a growing and thriving area,” he said.