Bent Mountain Bistro may open in April
Photo courtesy Saucy Salad | Flickr
Folks who drive up and down Bent Mountain on a regular basis are probably curious about all the work being done to a former Mexican restaurant along that route. I talked to property owner Jim Woltz this week and he said a new restaurant called the Bent Mountain Bistro is tentatively scheduled to open in April.
Woltz has owned the property at the crest of the mountain (across the road from the fire and rescue station) for about 5 years, he said. Before that, it was a Mexican restaurant. Now it is being heavily remodeled, and anyone can see from the Bent Mountain Bistro Facebook page that the work has included a new roof, new stone facade, electrical wiring and plumbing.
Woltz said he owns the building and the 5 acres where it sits but he is not opening the restaurant. He did not provide the names of the restaurant operators, saying it would be better if he allowed them to talk about their future plans for the site. I believe I know who they are and I hope to talk to them very soon.
While the building has been under construction over the past few months, the new restaurateurs have been doing pit-smoked barbecue on the weekends and selling boxed meals from a table outside. Woltz said those meals frequently sell out within an hour. That might provide one hint as to the cuisine, but there has also been talk of a pizza oven being installed.
Woltz said he believes long-term plans for the site may include greenhouses on the property where fresh produce can be grown. He also hopes shops might be built there in the future, creating a kind of village center in that area.
I’ll post any updates about Bent Mountain Bistro on the blog as soon as I get them.
February 26, 2013 - 5:48 AM
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Rumor is that Ben Ward, who used to run the Issac’s on Memorial Ave. is gonna open this.
Ward told me in December that he is not involved. Maybe things have changed since then.
That’s odd. I also heard Ben Ward was opening this place up. He was in some BMB Facebook pictures but those pictures are now gone.
If we’re going to get a rumor going, let’s get our backs into it. I heard Guy Fieri is behind the joint. He’s been secretly testing menu items at the local Kroger stores as seemingly innocuous sample giveaways. I had the Star City Smackdown, which is a 235-ingredient “loaded” nacho plate the encompasses all three daily meals, 24 unique ethnic cuisines, and nearly 100 individual condiments. A friend tried the Mill Mountain Mess, which is a corned beef, pastrami, roasted duck breast, lamb, and salmon hash that also includes pancetta-wrapped cubes of tofu and a single pearl onion.
There, let’s see how long it takes that one to make the rounds.
If the Q is good, I’ll make the drive and hopefully others will. Bent Mtn cannot support a resturant by itself.
Jeff, you’re a hoot. I suppose you have seen this fake Guy Fieri website/menu someone created? http://guysamericankitchenandbar.com/
David, I am not sure I agree. The Bent Mountain community has grown substantially over the past decade and there are very few restaurants with which to compete in that particular area. It will be interesting to see, to be sure.
Wish the new restaurant the best. Great to see new business in the area. I can remember back in the day when that there used to be mom and pop stores all over before the chains stores took over. I have saw checker games in this store that would last for days. The men that played them back then really took their games very serious
Prufrocktoberfest!
That FB page is a little all-over-the-place.
I have been following their web page as well http://bentmountainbistro.com/ can’t wait till they open. We have been too long without a restaurant up here.
The rumor I heard was that the former Isaacs owner was interested in the former Old English Inn restaurant on rt 221 near the Poage farm, not the BMB. This is just past the new bridgeon 221 beyond Cave Spring Middle School. It later became the Back Creek Grill but has been closed for 2 years or so.
I am not real concerned who is starting the Bent Mountain Bistro…we just want it to open! I have tasted the pork BQ, and is excellent! A good restaurant has some good opportunities and possibilities to grow in this little piece of Heaven up here! it is a beautiful place to reside, but don’t tell too many folks, we like the smallness and the uniqueness just like it is!
Best of luck to the owners, whom ever they may be!
PS open ASAP!!
Yes. it is me… Guy. You got it all figured out.
Lindsey, This is great! It’s closer for us to go up the “hill” than get to 419/Brambleton area. We missed the Mexican restaurant when they closed. The last place on 221 that everyone refers to as The Back Creek Grill was Madison’s after they were forced out of the place that is now a Kroger fuel center on Old Cave Spring Rd. Have you heard any news as to what that may become? I know the two properties (house and restaurant) were offered as one sale at the auction and have noticed the house is now occupied but no activity around the restaurant that I’ve seen.
Scott, a family has purchased that property and moved in, but they have not yet released specific details about what they plan to do with the restaurant, other than make it a restaurant. I do not get the impression that they are in a huge rush to open. I’m in touch with them and will bring you more details as soon as possible.
Does anyone know if Bent Mountain Bistro will be serving those great sandwiches this sunday? Easter Sunday?
Peggy; Bent Mountain Bistro has posted on their Facebook page that they will not be cooking for weekend sales so they can focus on getting the place ready to open. Which I can tell you, our family is so ready for them to open!