Vino's the Sequel

Hey, check out the beefcakes at the old hamburger joint!  Then check out the sign which, if you can't read it, states "Vino's Italian Restaurant coming soon." Oh you betcha, Vino's is indeed returning. Finally.

Feeling a little down in the dumps lately from Wall Street fat cats fleeing with all your retirement stash? Anxious about the fact that those damn flu shots make your arm hurt for a day?

Well, at least we have one of our favorite restaurants making a comeback, offering us yet another place to gorge our weary selves on pasta and wine.

After a 1-year plus hiatus, the restaurant will be reopening at 806 N. Main St., home of the old Hardee’s restaurant and short-lived Pete’s Grill.

Roman R. Zaruzua, a manager at Mi Tequila on Tiffin which Vino’s owners also own, said the projected reopening will be "the first week of December."

Remember the chicken marsala? That warm multigrain bread with the olive oil for dipping? That will all be back, all but a few things like the New York strip steak, Zaruzua said. Prices will be higher, but that's to be expected.

Renovations on North Main Street have been underway for several weeks.

Zaruzua claimed rent prices are what have taken the Dolce Cabana, Ltd. company so long to relocate their Italian dream made possible by Mexican chefs. That’s why Vino’s left its first home in the strip mall behind Golden Corral, in the old Wooly Bully’s bar. According to Zaruzua, owners looked at existing buildings, from the sunset-painted Kona Grill to the old Lone Star Steakhouse, both on Tiffin. He said one place, which used to house a chain pasta place, wanted $10,000 per month.

The company was also waiting for the right location. It was found at the old Hardee’s, with Washington Elementary no longer existing, the University of Findlay nearby, and a high enough elevation to hopefully keep it dry during floods. Owners will also have the option to buy the building if they wish.

At the Sept. 16 council meeting, Vino’s was approved without contest for its liqour license.

"We just had to wait for the right time, the right location" for Vino's to reemerge, said Zaruzua.

Comments

[paulag]

I'm so excited to see Vino's coming back. I am usually found with a taco or burrito in hand but when it comes to italian food, I really loved Vinos. I hope the city supports them. I know Roman and his wife Anna from the old "Hacienda" days, and now from Mi Tequila. Love their food and appreciate their good service.

[Jeff Ede]

I've been to Vino's before. They have good pizza. My Dad liked going to Vino's, too.