Well, that didn’t last long. One of the couples that took over the Wine Bar from Jamie Kennedy last September—chef team Scott and Rachelle Vivian—are leaving the Church Street spot to take over Amuse-Bouche’s location at 96 Tecumseth once its lease expires at the end of May. They leave the Wine Bar in the capable hands of Ted and Mary Koutsogiannopoulos, formerly of Joy Bistro.
“We’re going to rename it Beast,” Scott Vivian tells us, “and I’m not going to do a specific concept but just have good, local food in a good neighbourhood.” It all went down really quickly, he says. When he and Rachelle heard that Amuse-Bouche’s owners weren’t renewing their lease, they gave them a call and expressed interest in opening their own place.
The two officially take over the location on June 1 and are shooting for a June 9 opening. If that seems fast, Vivian assures us that there isn’t much to change with the space—just a new coat of paint and some refurbishing for the tables. His last day at the Wine Bar is May 23, and he’s staying mum on his replacement for now. Rachelle has already left, replaced by the pastry chef who was previously working under her.
“We’re leaving the Wine Bar on a positive note,” he says. “Rachelle and I are looking forward to doing our own thing.”
I think this could be the death knell for the remaining owners seeing as Vivian’s great food was the only good thing keeping us going there.
Best of luck to Vivian and his partner with this new venture!
April 29, 2010 at 7:25 am | by TomThumbOnly one problem with this story. You’ve called the owners “cabable.” They’re hopeless.
April 29, 2010 at 9:15 am | by Scott Honeymancabable?:)
April 29, 2010 at 11:26 am | by AnneWhy so harsh Scott? They did a great job at Joy. I hope all parties concerned success in their respective ventures.
May 4, 2010 at 4:26 pm | by kirstenI assume they didn’t get along… TOO many Partners… how smart are these people????
May 4, 2010 at 4:43 pm | by aldooh my…i wonder who’s taking over the cooking position…definately not going to be nearly as good as scott. he’s got a great talent for flavours. he’ll be missed. good luck new chef, the shoes you are to fill are mighty large.
May 7, 2010 at 10:40 pm | by hendersonScott and Rachelle are the best chefs in Canada and will be great owners. Their food is to die for and I cannot wait to go to the new place.
May 9, 2010 at 1:54 pm | by Sabrina