from staff
Currents Riverview Bistro, a new restaurant located in Jacksonville’s Aetna Building is hoping to be more than just another restaurant in an office building.
Currents will officially open its doors with a grand opening celebration on Thursday. Nearly 600 business leaders, local politicians and VIP guests are scheduled to be in attendance. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the building.
Currents Riverview Bistro will serve gourmet cuisine, sprawling river views, contemporary décor and even a signature drink, the Currentstini. Currents Riverview Bistro is hoping to find a place among Downtown’s favorite upscale dining options.
Currents Riverview Bistro is part of a multi-million dollar renovation to the Aetna Building that includes new conference and meeting facilities, banquet space and retail destinations. The restaurant will also feature full-service catering.
“We’re going to have a very unique position in the dining arena,” says Currents General Manager Deanna Stephens. “We will have Indian, Thai, Latin and European inspired dishes but at the same time, we realize we have to satisfy all of our occupants, some of whom have more traditional taste preferences. So we will serve classic favorites as well, but even our southern fried chicken will have gourmet flair.”
Parking for Currents will be free as well as free Wi-Fi. They are currently serving breakfast and lunch; with dinner/cocktail hours to be added in the fall. Reservations for the conference and dining facility are being taken and Stephens says a 1,400 person banquet has already been booked.
“This space is unmatched in Downtown as far as versatility,” adds Stephens. “You can hold a high-powered business meeting in our conference facilities, throw a wedding along the river atop our veranda or have an intimate meal for two. We can accommodate anything and everything.”