New owners, new name, new approach at eatery
The city’s newest Italian restaurant downtown is holding its official grand opening Friday.
Johnny Vino’s Italian Grill and Bar has replaced Dolcé Vita at 413 George St.
Partners John Druce, Steve Nichols and Scott Veniot purchased the former Italian eatery from the Kawartha Entertainment Group Inc. Sept. 1.
The trio reopened the doors as Johnny Vino’s five days later, and now, after settling in, they’re ready to celebrate.
Although the interior décor remains the same, Druce said the new ownership has given the space a whole new feel.
That shift includes evolving from high-end fine dining to upscale casual.
It’s also got a completely new menu, created by Nichols – but don’t worry, he’s included scallops Gorgonzola.
Nichols has been a chef for 22 years and owned Nicolini’s Restaurant in two downtown locations.
Although he has experience in the industry, owning a restaurant is a first for Druce and Veniot.
Druce, a Peterborough native, is a former Peterborough Pete and NHL player. He’s now the head coach of the Cobourg Cougars.
Veniot is in the pharmaceutical business in Toronto. He previously spent 12 years in the Electric City. That’s when he met Druce and Nichols, who’d been friends since they were teenagers.
The three had often toyed around the idea of buying a restaurant together before Dolcé Vita went up for sale.
“It was the right time, right place, right opportunity,” said Druce.
The restaurant features live local music Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 8 p.m.
They’ve also added a Happy Hour on Thursday and Friday afternoons, offering cocktail and food features beginning at 3:30 p.m. Regular hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to close.
While the partners are focused on growing Johnny Vino’s to the best it can be right now, Druce said he always thinks it’s important to keep looking ahead, too.
“If you don’t have a vision for something bigger, than I don’t know how much you’re going to grow and how much you’re going to want to push to do better,” Druce said.