Shuttered Vinotecca Wine Bar Is Making a Comeback in Birmingham

In a game of restaurant musical chairs, Royal Oak’s former Vinotecca wine bar is taking over The Bird and The Bread’s restaurant space in Birmingham. The transition is expected to be completed by early 2018, with The Bird and The Bread and its adjoining special events space The ELM Room continuing to operate for dinner and brunch throughout that time, according to a release. Today will be the last call for lunch service at the restaurant, which officially ends on October 2.

Both The Bird and The Bread and Vinotecca, as well as Vinology Wine Bar & Restaurant in Ann Arbor, are owned by the Jonna Family. The new Vinotecca will be a “modernized” version of the original with a “swanky intimate environment.” Customers can expect to see a menu made up of globally-influenced small plates. The bar will also host live jazz and blues acts. Before all of these changes can begin the owners still need to jump through one more hoop: gaining the blessing from Birmingham’s city planners. The alterations are expected to be submitted within the next several weeks.

Vinotecca operated in Royal Oak for 12 years. However, in May the wine bar vacated the space and allowed their partnership group to convert that portion of the building into the new Jolly Pumpkin Royal Oak. The Bird and The Bread debuted in March 2014 at 210 S. Old Woodward Ave. offering upscale comfort foods such as roasted chicken. It took the number nine spot the following year on the Detroit Free Press’s Best New Restaurants list. Stay tuned for more updates on the switcheroo.

The Bird and The Bread will remain open during the transition from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

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