Frenchie’s, a new French-inspired cocktail bar and bistro, opened on June 13th at 514 B2 Cloverdale Road. Restaurateur Jud Blount and Chef Eric Rivera of Vintage Hospitality Group (Vintage Year, Vintage Cafe, Ravello & Red Bluff Bar) have partnered with Restaurateur Tyler Bell of Il Panificio (Dino’s, El Rey Burrito Lounge & Leroy) to offer a new spot to complement the existing restaurants and bars in the Cloverdale neighborhood. With limited seating, reservations are highly recommended while walk-ins can be accommodated at the bar on a first come, first served basis, and on the patio as weather permits. Currently, the hours are 4:30pm-10pm Monday through Thursday, and 4:30-11 pm on Friday and Saturday, Frenchie’s plans on opening on Sunday later this Summer or in the Fall.
“As Jud and I are lifelong friends who both grew up in Cloverdale, we know that Frenchie’s is a great addition to the neighborhood. It is a perfect place to meet a friend for a drink, have a snack or dinner, read a book at the bar or pop in for a nightcap,” states Bell. “While Frenchie’s menu is small, it covers the bases.”
Snacks such as smoked trout dip, calamari, a cheese plate and French onion dip are featured. Chef Rivera’s versions of classic bistro fare like croque monsieur, moules and steak frites rounds out the larger options. An ode to Birmingham’s Chez Fon Fon’s shrimp remoulade salad is offered and a crème brûlée can be found alongside a puff pastry. The drink menu focuses on classic cocktails and wines from small producers, primarily from France. By the glass options will remain relatively small, with a dozen or so wines available to drink at a time. Both restaurant groups are both well known for their wine collections, so guests can expect a well rounded cellar menu to be offered as the business matures.
Vintage Hospitality Group operates the fine-dining flagship restaurant, Vintage Year, as well as a coffee shop, daytime eatery and retail store, Vintage Café, in Montgomery’s historic Old Cloverdale neighborhood. Ravello Ristorante is its hot Italian establishment, along with several private event spaces located downtown. The company also owns the hydroponic farm MGM Greens and Red Bluff Bar, a venue that offers live music, beer, wine and small bites along the scenic Alabama riverfront. Vintage Hospitality Group’s national press accolades include receiving coverage in the New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, PBS NewsHour, USA Today, Garden & Gun, Forbes and Newsweek Magazines.
Tyler Bell began his hospitality career in 1996 with operating Tomatinos Pizza and Cafe Louisa which he later sold in 2005. A steady line of restaurants and bars followed including El Rey and the Olive Room. In 2012, he developed the cocktail and beer bar Leroy, as well as L & E Oyster Bar in Los Angeles. A couple of years later, Bell introduced the Mexican restaurant El Cóndor near the oyster bar. Bell then opened Gold Line in 2018 with the record label Stones Throw and its founder DJ Peanut Butter Wolf, starting the trend of Japanese style record bars in the US.
For interviews, photos, media tastings or additional information, please contact Lorrie Dixson Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com. For more information on Vintage Hospitality Group, please visit https://www.vintagehg.com.
Vintage Cafe will be a purveyor of only the finest products in its new coffee shop and retail store that will open in early fall. Stumptown Coffee will be the signature brand served as it is not only one of the best coffee roasters in the U.S. but a like minded company also focused on the community and providing the best product which Montgomery deserves. Blends such as the “Hair Bender” and “Hollar Mountain” as well as seasonal single origin varietals will be carried. There will also be hot and iced teas by Steven Smith Teamaker, a company that procures and blends teas of outstanding quality and freshness. Customers can also shop the retail store for an array of blends, produce and honey from local farmers, Dak’s Spices, and pickles from Bern Farms in addition to finding accessories and gifts including ceramics from Earthborn Studios. 
