The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro in Ridgefield, closed during the construction of the new community park and amphitheater across Main Street from the restaurant, has scheduled a Grand Re-Opening for Sat., Sept. 14. The party will be held from 4-8 p.m. at the Avalon Event Center (the refurbished community church) across from the restaurant.
Activities at the re-opening include a Gypsy Carnival with vendor booths, live music, entertainment and food and beverages. The event will also include a “Bohemian Burlesque” show that will feature a fire dancer, cabaret-style burlesque acts, and a contortionist. The show will be produced and hosted by Burk Bigler, a burlesque show producer, emcee and circus performer based in Portland.
Dee Metro, owner of the restaurant and bistro, indicated the business suffered greatly during the several months it was closed due to the complete reconstruction of the street as the park was being built. However, the outcome of the construction includes the paved street, new parking spaces and a much cleaner look to the street.
The restaurant itself is small, intimate, sort of dark and romantic (at dinner time anyway), friendly and a nice relaxing place to enjoy a meal and a good selection of wines and beers. The inside will seat about 38 and there is an outside amphitheater that can accommodate large parties of up to 130 or more.
Metro plans weekly events including Jam Night, Friday Sing-a-Long, and she will be presenting guest chefs every Saturday. Sunday brunches are in the planning stages as well.
Metro has hired a new cook/bartender, who is in the process of developing a new menu, while keeping old favorites like their crab-shrimp quesadilla and spinach-artichoke dip available for customers. Other menu selections include a Pear and Brie Sandwich, a Shrimp Melt, a Thai Chicken Quesadilla, and a luscious seafood dip (lobster, crab and shrimp in Crème de Fro Mage).
Weekly specials will be a big feature of the new menu as well with small plate and bistro fare like Chicken Hawaiian, Spicy Mac & Cheese with Butternut Squash, Smoked Beef Brisket, Cajun Catfish Tacos, and Cheese Tortellini with Prawns popping regularly. Metro also has a wide selection of wines to pair with the various dishes and house-made desserts complete the menu.
Metro, who also owns the Avalon Event Center and church across the street, as well as a limousine service, says she has been involved with an average of 5-8 weddings a week over the six years she has owned the center, guessing that she’s been a part of over 8,000 weddings.
Packages include church services, buffets, limo service, cake, refreshments, tables, chairs, linens, and just about everything a bride and groom would need for their day. Details can be found on their website at www.AvalonEvents1.com.
For restaurant details, and tickets to the Re-Opening Burlesque show, call (360) 887-8888, or e-mail Dee Metro at dee@avalonevents1.com. The restaurant is located at 112 S. Main St., in downtown Ridgefield.