A restaurant devoted to one letter of the alphabet? Yup.
The C House, a coming-soon Seminole Heights restaurant, is dedicating its entire menu, including the beverage list, to offerings that start with C. Diners can expect Champagne, cheesecake, crudo, cheesy mac, caprese salad and Canadian bacon, to name a few.
Owner Danna Haydar dreamed up the place on a car ride home from Georgia with her husband Rhett Blewett. They wanted a way to showcase and monetize Haydar’s mother-in-law’s cheesecakes, and Haydar always had dreams of opening a Champagne and dessert lounge. From there, the idea evolved into The C House.
Though an eatery focused on a single letter is a new, niche concept, Haydar doesn’t see any limits.
“As we sit here right now, we have a full bakery… there’s everything from ciabatta to challah bread, and I could do a bunch of sandwiches with just those breads alone,” she said. “I think we can deliver the type and the food and the quality that I want, without needing to sacrifice based on the fact it doesn’t start with a C.”
Under construction at 6005 N. Florida Ave., the restaurant promises more than your average dining experience. With 2,100 square feet of space inside and a 3,000-square-foot covered patio — not to mention that bakery, two full-liquor bars and a retail store — The C House will not only cater to guests eating in-house, but also their off-site needs.
Before leaving the restaurant or while waiting on a table, diners can shop all things C. Gift items include everything from charcuterie boards and cheese knives to candles and cocktail napkins.
“I want this to be a destination for housewarming gifts,” said Haydar.
She’s working closely with local architect Robert Ibarra to create an “industrial farmhouse look.” Wine and whiskey barrels, exposed brick, reclaimed wood and exposed metal are among the design elements being incorporated throughout. But outside, the patio — which Haydar fondly refers to as the heart — will embrace the Florida lifestyle and the Seminole Heights outdoor vibe.
“This space already had this industrial, high-ceiling roof over the patio,” she said, “so it really excited me when I first saw it.”
The C House plans to seat 120, though a final number is still in the works. Hours of operation will be announced as the restaurant continues to near its projected launch date in mid-December.
