Partners in the Ovinte wine bar and restaurant bought San Marco landmark eatery Bistro AIX, reuniting Ovinte partner Chad Munsey with the restaurant that hired him as its first employee.
Munsey posted on his Facebook page that as of Monday, he and his Ovinte partners were the owners of Bistro AIX.
“I have come full cycle as I was the first employee hired at AIX in 1999 and was their GM/wine director,” he said.
Munsey said to look for “some new exciting menu items, a new lunch menu and full raw bar (coming soon).”
Bistro AIX founder Mike Schneider said Monday by text that the owners have had a longtime personal relationship with Munsey. Also, Ovinte partner Jacques Klempf “has been a valued guest of both the Loop and Aix, and someone I’ve always admired and respected.”
Schneider was a partner in founding the Loop Pizza Grill chain as well as Bistro AIX.
Schneider said Ovinte partner Fraser Burns “will add creativity and passion.” Munsey, Klempf and Burns are partners in Wine Lounge Concepts LLC, created in 2012. Ovinte operates in St. Johns Town Center.
“They really wanted to own Aix, and we trust they will respect the heritage and breathe new vision for the future,” Schneider said.
He said his group will “focus on making the Loop better, and expanding that brand for the rest of our career. We’ve been doing this 40 years...but still excited with what’s ahead.”
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