This allows us to store one of the most extensive selections in the Toronto area, featuring more than 500 wines from around the world, including top Canadian, and international labels. To ensure that wine is stored in ideal conditions of 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees F) and 65 percent relative humidity, a 2 1/2 ton, state-of-the-art cooling system was installed in the cellar's ceiling. “Once we do one, the other one should be easier,” Nagy said.At 351 metres (1151 ft.), 360 Restaurant’s cellar in the sky holds the Guinness World Record as “world’s highest”.Ĭreated to resemble a typical underground wine cellar, ours features precision climate and humidity controls, redwood racks, double cherry doors, a 9,000 bottle storage capacity and a tasting table. No property has been purchased or leased. Once City Grille & Raw bar is established, Nagy said there is a “strong possibility” that they would be opening a riverfront, outdoor raw bar along the Southbank. She first started in the San Marco area and we have wanted to get back in that area,” Nagy said. “The Filling Station was less than a block from where City Grille is. Not only does Belloit Thomas have a history in this area, the two live in Avondale. Opening a Downtown location makes sense, Nagy said. Nagy said the positions are not yet filled. The three positions will be filled by current employees from Eleven South and 3 Palms Grille. It will seat 155.Ī regional general manager, regional chef and regional administrator will be hired to oversee the three restaurants. The restaurant will employ a staff of about 60, he said. The plan is for the menu to include dry-aged steaks and tomahawk rib-eyes. East and West Coasts will be offered as well as a selection of ceviches, tartares and crudos. While the new location is a grill, it will not feature the same mesquite-grilled steaks as Eleven South. “We won’t be the most expensive restaurant in town,” Nagy said There, appetizers range from $13 to $16 and entrees from $29 to $49. The City Grille menu will be priced similar, if not higher, than items offered at Eleven South, he said. in Jacksonville Beach and 3 Palms Grille is at 254 Alta Mar Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach. Nagy did say they will keep the distinctive wall-long wine rack.īelloit Thomas is designing the interior that will be partitioned into several distinct dining areas.įasanelli Construction is the contractor.Įleven South is at 216 11th Ave. The Wine Cellar’s wine inventory was not part of the deal. Little of the Wine Cellar interior will remain, Nagy said. Principal owner Vicki Dugan said she had previous offers to sell, but last year the price and the timing were right. He estimates an investment topping $1 million.įormer Wine Cellar owners said upon closing that business was good but the coronavirus pandemic had reduced the employee count from 20 to 12, especially among the kitchen staff.Īt the end, only half the restaurant was booked because of the staff shortage. “It will be trendy but have an old-school feel,” he said. “We would like to create an environment that is more city-oriented,” Nagy said. Nagy is confident that City Grille will add a big city feel to Jacksonville’s Downtown. They registered City Grille LLC with the state in January 2022.īelloit Thomas and Nagy, who are married, bring more than 50 years of restaurant experience to the project.īelloit Thomas operated The Filling Station Cafe near San Marco from 1987 until selling it in 1994. They began discussing a lease in November and struck a deal in December, Nagy said.
Matt Demir, managing broker of Jacksonville-based XERA Realty Inc., represented the landlord and the tenant in the deal. The menu will include fresh seafood, steaks and other seasonal specialties, as well as an extensive wine list from wine regions around the world, he said.īelloit Thomas and Nagy are leasing the space from Ronald Rettner, who paid $1.04 million for the property in October 2021. We believe there is a demand for high-quality seafood and steaks,” Nagy said April 5.Ĭity Grille will be open for lunch and dinner six days a week with Saturday and Sunday brunch a possibility depending on demand, he said.
There is support in that particular area based on the residential growth. Karen Belloit Thomas and John Nagy are planning a fall opening at 1314 Prudential Drive, where the Wine Cellar operated for 47 years before closing in October 2021. The owners of Eleven South and 3 Palms Grille at the Beaches are expanding inland to open City Grille & Raw Bar at the site of the former Wine Cellar restaurant on the Downtown Southbank.