Angelina Italian Bistro just passed the one-year mark, but the restaurant is certainly not resting on its laurels. Angelina has recently opened an adjacent private dining room, introduced happy hour bar and prix fixe menus and launched a redesigned website.
The private dining room, which fronts Grand Circus Parks, seats up to 65 and can be booked for special events such as corporate parties and rehearsal dinners. "It's been good for us, kind of keeping our head above water," says co-owner Tom Agosta. "It's enabled us to keep our staff, give them a few extra hours...and shortly, we hope to hire a few more people." The space has already been used by PricewaterhouseCoopers and College for Creative Studies, and Agosta and partner Mike Viviano are focused on growing that arm of the business in the coming year.
The happy hour menu features tasting plates such as calamari, bruschetta, and marinated chicken skewers all in the $4 range. Agosta points out that Angelina's non-smoking policy and free wi-fi have turned the bar into a popular after-work destination for professionals looking for a drink while they wrap up their business day.
Angelina has established a partnership with the Gem and Fisher Theaters to offer a special prix fixe menu for event attendees: a three-course meal for $29.50, including tax and gratuity. The restaurant's full menu has been updated for the season and includes a variety of pizzas and entrees like polenta and eggplant torre, tomato gnocci, rainbow trout and grilled organic pork chops.
On Tuesday, November 17, Angelina is hosting a Michigan Harvest Wine Dinner that features five courses, each accompanied by a Michigan wine. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling the restaurant at 313-962-1355.
Now that the bistro is entering its second year, Agosta and Viviano are hopeful they are around for the long haul. "We are looking forward to opening for lunch again, hopefully," says Viviano. "We're also looking forward to more people moving into Downtown."
The new website, along with special events and promotions, is part of the duo's enhanced marketing strategy. "It used to be with good food, good service, (restaurants) would be able to at least hang in there pretty well," says Agosta. "That's just not enough these days."
Angelina is located at 1565 Broadway with the main entrance on Witherell. Valet parking is available.
Source: Tom Agosta and Mike Viviano, Angelina Italian Bistro
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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