Earlier this week, we reported that the sale of Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar was close to official. Well, the ink has dried sooner than expected. A press release today confirmed that Jamie Kennedy has sold the restaurant to long-time protégé Scott Vivian, partnered with his new wife, pastry chef Rachelle Caldwell. Backing the pair are restaurateurs Ted and Mary Koutsogiannopoulos, formerly of Joy Bistro, which they sold last June. We’re assuming the quartet lost little sleep while choosing a new name—the spot will be known simply as the Wine Bar.
As for Kennedy, he is leaving to focus on some newer ventures: the Gilead Café and his Prince Edward County farm and event venue. Look for the Wine Bar to change hands and phone numbers (the new one is 416-504-9463) in early October.
• Read the original post about the sale of Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar>>
I’m really happy that I was able to dine @ the JKWB with my fiance and mother (for my birthday) one last time before the hand-over. I’ll of course give the new WB a chance, but I’ll still miss my favourite restaurant.
September 29, 2009 at 7:51 am | by MelanieYes, but what about Hank’s???
September 29, 2009 at 9:36 am | by Whitfitjamie, we will miss you. see you at gilead….
September 29, 2009 at 9:39 am | by didiWill it be closed at all for the handover?
September 29, 2009 at 10:51 am | by JenMy girlfriend and I went back to the Wine Bar for the first time since ceased to exist under the Jamie Kennedy banner.
Huge disappointment. The fries were served in a cheap looking Ikea bucket, the wine list appeared to be pared down, and I waited 45 minutes for my duck breast main course that actually never did arrive. And there was no explanation as to why the duck didn’t arrive. I went home without eating a main course, not exactly ideal.
I don’t believe we’ll be going back again, it really doesn’t feel the same, and the food and presentation is now a cut below what it previously was.
I don’t believe we’ll go back.
October 16, 2009 at 10:08 pm | by RonFYI – Jamie just announced that Gilead Café will be offering an à la carte dinner service and brunch in the new year.
December 21, 2009 at 8:59 am | by EmilyI’ve been twice to the newly reopened (did it even close?) Wine Bar under the new management and I felt the food and ambiance was excellent on both occasions. The tapas style menu lets you sample a number of different dishes without eating a really heavy dinner. The chef’s attention to small details and the care with which they prepare the dishes was excellent.
We especially enjoyed the perfectly seasoned Qualicum scallops, and the Wine Bar’s version of ‘poutine’ (don’t be fooled by the name, this is not your average Quebecois style cheese curd dish with beef gravy).
If you want a culinary experience to remember and impress, come check the Wine Bar out.
March 27, 2010 at 2:31 pm | by Jason