If you’ve driven past the defunct Wild Side Grill in Queen Creek lately, you may have noticed a lot of activity going on.
That’s because Bar Vinedo, an upscale wine bar, is planning to open in the space Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Wild Side began its life in 2009 as Trophy’s Steakhouse, a combination of steakhouse and wildlife museum that showcased trophy mounts of all 29 big-game species found in North America.
Trophy’s owners transformed the struggling restaurant into the more casual Wild Side last year, keeping the same decor. Wild Side closed in September.
With Wild Side’s owner keeping his expensive mounts, the 5,000-square-foot space understandably is undergoing a major renovation.
An corralled exhibit of five full-sized bears in the center of the restaurant is being replaced by an indoor tree with a huge canopy.
A rocky outcropping behind the bar – home to four full-sized bighorn sheep – has been removed. In its place, the polished-granite bar has been extended into a horseshoe shape.
A semi-private room off the bar area is being converted into a retail wine store.
The new owners are planning “a chef-driven menu of classic American fare with French and Spanish influences.” Ryan McBride, an Arizona Culinary Institute grad, will head the kitchen.
Bar Vinedo will offer approximately 100 wines, including 25 or so by the glass. It also will have 12 beers on tap.
