After eight idle months, work finally has begun on a new restaurant and bar taking over the former Vintage 95 building on Boston Street, west of Arizona Avenue, in downtown Chandler.
East Valley restaurateur Julian Wright bought and closed 5-year-old Vintage 95 in April, planning to partner with the owners of Mesa artisan sandwich shop Worth Takeaway on a new northern Italian concept called Equal Parts.
The partnership, however, quickly dissolved, and the space sat empty all summer and fall.
Now, Wright has finalized plans for a replacement concept – a “tropical Mexican’’ bar and restaurant called Las Palmas Cantina.
‘‘We’ll have a combination of tequila and rum drinks made with fresh juices and coastal Mexican fare cooked over a wood grill,’’ he says. ‘‘We’ll also incorporate some South American favorites like ceviche and pisco sours.’’
The interior is being completely gutted to give the space an entirely new look. It will have a front patio, a dining room, a large bar and bar area, an outdoor dining area, and a raised deck area with a patio bar.
Wright, who also owns Pedal Haus Brewery in downtown Tempe, has launched numerous successful concepts, including The Library, La Bocca Urban Pizzeria, Modern Margarita, and The Handlebar.
Look for Las Palmas Cantina to open in April.
