A new restaurant is already planned for the former L'Olivier Cabaret space in Ybor, promising Indian tapas, a bar, and a full-service public relations/marketing firm. Gallery Rasika owner Nick Volpe calls it "a unique concept, an attraction as compared to just a restaurant, nothing frozen in the restaurant, all fresh ingredients, more of an experience." The menu sounds like light, Americanized Indian small plates, with a fairly interesting bar selection.
There will be priginal art pieces from local and international artists — including Ybor regular Arnold Martinez — hung in the restaurant and in a dedicated gallery space. And, if diners want to get some business cards designed or have a marketing plan created, Volpe's PR company will be on site to take care of that, as well.
Volpe hopes to be open by the beginning of February, but he's dealing with the many permitting issues that always come up when dealing with an historic building.
This article appears in Jan 6-12, 2010.