Several heaters have been transported to the sidewalk in downtown Raleigh, as well as to a new outdoor patio, with blankets on each table, where people can dine al fresco. The grill re-enters the kitchen and mixed drinks are served at the bar after a seven-month break.
Owner Jon Seel says it was painful to close last spring, that the pandemic was settling across the Triangle, and that many restaurants were struggling to stay afloat.
“It was a hard pill to swallow, but at the same time you have to make some kind of quick decisions and survival instinct,” Seel said.
He took the summer to regroup and came up with a plan to reopen the Salisbury Street space.
“It was challenging and rewarding in a way,” Seel said.
It serves Mexican cuisine and brought a chef from the Umstead Hotel to cook high-end meals.
A DJ is already on the turntables with the intention of keeping the restaurant optimistic.
“Now we have something pretty special down here,” he said. “It excites me”.
Seel knows there are chances of restricting restrictions, but for now he is celebrating success.
“I think it’s something to be a little proud of, but it’s also just been worth challenging them right now, so we’re going to move on,” Seel said.
The restaurant reduces hours in an effort to keep up. Lunch is no longer offered.
Seel hopes that once the sun sets, people will offer their support for dinner.
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