The smell of fresh paint fills the space that once held Cafe Cabernet. As it continued in its last years, new and old investors saw it was time to change the restaurant completely. Now, Vintage Bistro and Bar will offer customers different services and foods that were not available at Cafe Cabernet.
With a new tapas-style bar food service, Vintage Bistro and Bar offers customers $4 plates of snack food. This includes Homemade Potato Chips with Roasted Garlic Aioli or Crispy Onion Rings with Garlic Sauce.
“We refocused our actual appetizers,” said Joseph Kirkland, General Manager of the bistro. “We’re playing with that category of American comfort food [and] Southern classics, but then giving them a new twist.”
On the menu, Vintage Bistro and Bar offers a twist on Southern Sliders. These mini sandwiches can include barbecue pulled pork, fried chicken, beef or fried green tomatoes.
Wednesday nights will remain the same, offering a late night hang out spot for young professionals and older college students with a live DJ.
“That’s our only late night until 2 a.m. In the past they have done Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We are not doing all that,” said Kirkland.
Vintage Bistro and Bar might make nights for other demographics in the future, but these nights will most likely end at midnight.
The restaurant wants to start small with serving only Sunday brunch and dinners. The Sunday dinner will be family style with no ordering involved. For example, fried chicken with four different sides for every table.
“I remember going to Cafe Cabernet in the past,” said Anderson Mills, 34, a student at Tallahassee Community College. “Although I enjoyed it, I am excited to see what the new restaurant will offer.”
Vintage Bistro and Bar is currently having its soft opening with limited seating and a limited menu. The restaurant is getting more fresh seafood brought in for the day. The soft open includes Valentine’s Day where the diner will be given dining certificates to customers for future visits to the restaurant.
“We will be giving away to every customer a dining certificate to come again and get a free entree or appetizer,” said Kirkland.
“I’m reluctant to give a firm date,” said Kirkland. “So I’m just telling people we are opening the first week of March. That is when we plan to launch our lunch program as well.”
During the end of February and beginning of March, Vintage Bistro and Bar will be hosting multiple private dinners for Tallahassee organizations, including The Big Bend Cares’ “Dining for Life” and the Maclay Preview Auction Party.
The patio that Cafe Cabernet built prior to its closing will still be available and the kitchen will be installing new equipment.
“The guest doesn’t see that but it is important for the food that the customer eats,” said Kirkland about the renovations.
“I’d encourage people to come try us out. For the college demographic come on out,” said Kirkland. “It’s a lot of fun and the DJ is good.”