Sometimes you just have to do things your own way. That’s exactly what Mark Rietze has opted to do by opening a new restaurant.
The Lime Bar & Grill, Rietze's solo venture, will open this fall in the middle of Riverdale Farms Shopping Center in Avon.
Rietze has a background in the restaurant industry but is looking ahead to this business as one that will be a good choice for the area.
“The concept for Lime Bar & Grill is that of a neighborhood place where you can come for a relaxing lunch, dinner and more,” said Rietze.
Rietze has taken into account the impact of the current economy when selecting the menu and deciding meal prices.
“It’s not going to be a sports bar, but it will have some favorite fare like burgers, wings, Italian sandwiches, and calamari," Rietze said. "The menu is still being worked on because I want to do dinner specials, too.”
The Avon Planning and Zoning Commission approved Rietze's request to permit a Class III restaurant in a CP-B zone at its Sept. 13 meeting. During the meeting, Rietze also noted that the Lime Bar & Grill has the potential to become a live acoustic music venue, however details such as outdoor speakers and the size are pending and would require an additional application process before approval.
“There are two outdoor seating areas set up in a bi-level patio layout," Rietze said. "The view of Talcott Mountain can be seen and makes for a pretty backdrop."
The restaurant will have a bar, lounge and dining area. Lighting will play a key part in atmosphere, to set a mood, said Rietze. Wine, specialty martini and margaritas are part of the menu plans for Lime Bar & Grill.
“There’s a need for this kind of venue," Rietze said. "If a place only offers fine dining, an entire segment of people aren’t being served. Establishments that offer up good lunch specials, take-out options, and nightlife will do well. The surrounding businesses will benefit, too, from variety.”
Reitze expects to have an opening in five to six weeks, depending on whether all permits have been granted. The restaurant's hours will run Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Happy Hour lasts from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays through Friday and food and drink specials will be offered during that time.
In the meantime Rietze has been busy building, marketing and thinking about food.
Using the powers of social networking, Rietze has set up a website, www.limebarct.com, a Facebook page under the keyword Limebarct, and a Twitter account: @limebarct, to keep people in the loop.
The Libe Bar & Grill will be located at 136 Simsbury Road in the Riverdale Farms Shopping Center in Avon.
