The Carillon building (Poplar & Trade) is a bit of an anomaly. It’s still on Trade and still near the heart of Uptown, but it’s a touch off the beaten path. There was a short lived restaurant inside called Blueprint that didn’t last for a variety of reasons, but the potential in this space is enormous.
Bella Fresco Café looks to capitalize on that potential with an updated interior, fresh signage on the outside and a concept that caters to all. With the explosion of Third Ward, there are people walking everywhere now. No longer is this building off the beaten path but just as close to the center as anything else.
Here are the touch points on the place:
- Mediterranean-style food for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Grab-n-go style café for breakfast and lunch
- Large bar area and lounge serving up high-powered cocktails
- Gelato!
What’s cool is that it it looks to be a little bit of everything, but without over playing its hand. The menu isn’t complicated, bogged down by dishes trying too hard. The cocktail menu isn’t 100 pages long (although it is a bit pricey). The inside is nice without being stuffy, and approachable without being too casual. It just seems to work.
They are in soft openings now but going full menu and full hours starting January 4th. There are still interior touch ups in the works, and the exterior signage isn’t up yet, but the hope is to get the word out and build a customer base.
Personally, I am looking forward to having a good place to go uptown for breakfast, and it will be nice to have another place serving real cocktails and a place to drink that isn’t a standard Uptown college bar/club.
