Vidrio To Open In Glenwood South For Mediterranean Experience Dining

Family-style dining restaurant will offer vibrant regional cuisine and 50-plus wines on tap
Restaurant opens for dinner on Monday, Jan. 23

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Vidrio, a new Mediterranean-style dining experience from hospitality group LM Restaurants, will open its doors for dinner on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017 at 500 Glenwood Ave. Offering fresh seafood and an impressive wine selection, Vidrio will bring a fusion of Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, Turkish, Lebanese, Moroccan, and other Mediterranean flavors right to the heart of Raleigh’s thriving Glenwood South District. Raleighites will be able to explore a window into global flavor in an intimate family setting with plates made to share. The daily menu offers dishes inspired by seaside tradition and a robust beverage program.

Vidrio invites guests to experience the soul of Mediterranean cuisine through the sensibilities of the earth, flavor, and wine. The restaurant will offer more than 50 wines on tap (including vermouth and sherry) plus another 200 bottles, along with specialty craft cocktails. This scale of variety is unmatched in the area for beverage offerings.

The daily menu will give a nod to all Mediterranean countries of influence, with every dish and cocktail crafted to invigorate the senses. Vidrio imports its own olive oil directly from the founder’s Greek village while collaborating with area farmers and purveyors to source the freshest local ingredients and serve wholesome meals paired with bold wines that please palates. Guests will be able to share the simple elegance of slow-roasted meat and cheese plates, wood-fired fish, and fresh crudo and tartare, while experiencing Mediterranean cuisine served in an homage to this ancient region. The Grilled Octopus dressed in Vrisi 36 EVOO with fresh herbs, Roasted Mussels with fresh tomatoes in a saffron white wine broth, and the fresh mushroom and herb goat cheese crostini are examples of simple, ingredient forward dishes.  At Vidrio, each menu item is carefully crafted with the utmost care and consideration, focusing on the flavors of the ingredients as the main showcase of the meal.

Leading Vidrio’s kitchen will be Executive Chef Ian Sullivan, previously with the University Club in Durham, North Carolina, and the Urban Food Group of Raleigh. Chef de Cuisine is Saif Rahman, previously of 21c Museum and Hotel in Durham, and World Central Kitchen organization by Chef Jose Andres. Overseeing the hospitality and restaurant business will be General Manager Ron Didner, previously with Six Points Restaurant Group of Philadelphia and the Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond in St. Michaels, Maryland. Ioannis “Yanni” Theodorou, previously with McCormick & Schmick’s, will coordinate all events and catering as private dining and catering sales manager. Rounding out front of house will be Ahmed Hasan, most recently from Fleet Street Kitchen in Baltimore, as beverage manager and chief mixologist.

Complementing the vibrancy of its menu, Vidrio’s unique two-story open space interior resonates the feeling of timeless coastal communities from the south of Spain to the Turkish Islands, through Egypt and Morocco. Vidrio is Spanish for “glass,” reflecting the Mediterranean culture in both the name and design of the restaurant. Stunning design elements include a rainbow of handblown glass, colorful mosaics of unique hand-painted tiles, original European furnishings, and custom guillotine windows from Turkey offering patrons panoramic views of the area. Hundreds of wooden dowels hang about the bar area, and rope chandeliers adorn the dining room, both moving with the wind as if by a sea breeze. The open kitchen gives guests a clear view of the wood-fired grill and stone hearth oven for a rare glimpse into the work behind their meal and the zesty aroma of fresh baking bread and grilled seafood.

“At Vidrio, we are offering an authentic window into the Mediterranean in a modern and playful setting,” said Lou Moshakos, president and owner of LM Restaurants. “We look forward to sharing our tables with people who want to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle right here in Raleigh.”

Vidrio also offers a variety of private event spaces with a separate bar and catering kitchen. The spaces are suited to accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 250 people.

James Beard-nominated best restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias and ARCHE design USA consulted on Vidrio and was responsible for its design elements and menu authenticity. Bakatsias has over 30 years of experience in the culinary industry and has been the creative force behind restaurants across the area including Bin 54 and Kipos, both in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His business partner and fellow thought architect, Theodore Kondylis, is based in Athens, Greece.

Open for dinner and brunch on Sundays, Vidrio will offer free valet parking to its guests. For more information or for reservations, please call 919-803-6033 or visit www.vidrioraleigh.com.

Vidrio is the anchor concept in LM Restaurants’ new Platinum Portfolio, a planned group of high-end, event-styled destination locations focused on offering fine dining, professional chefs, and top-quality service.

ABOUT VIDRIO
Vidrio, a family-style restaurant, was launched in 2016 in Glenwood South in Raleigh, North Carolina, to offer diners a unique Mediterranean dining experience. It is part of LM Restaurants as the latter’s first Platinum Portfolio restaurant. Vidrio features family-style shared plates with Mediterranean inspiration and influences. The restaurant has more than 50 wines on tap and another 200 in bottles. Vidrio is focused on taste and chef-driven recipes, with a daily rotating menu based on locally-sourced, fresh ingredients. At Vidrio, guests begin with wine and small bites, then progress to hearty dishes freshly prepared for the whole table to share.
www.vidrioraleigh.com