Kent Esra - Zionsville Monthly Magazine

February 2017 Writer / Janelle Morrison Renovations began in late January after extensive planning and design work. The restaurant will be closed throughout this remodeling and reopen under its new name and logo, Cobblestone, in early March. "After 16 years, we decided it was time to refresh the restaurant with a new look," says Kent Esra. "We will reconfigure the dining and bar Owners Liz and Kent Esra areas, add new colors and lighting and a more contemporary ambience that will update the restaurant throughout." They will open the dining areas in the entire restaurant by eliminating some walls. The floors, furniture, décor, and lighting will be updated to reflect the new ambience that the Esras want to share with patrons and future guests. "We felt changing the name to simply ‘Cobblestone’ better reflects who we are today," says Liz Esra. "This is an exciting time for us, and we can't wait to introduce the new Cobblestone to our many customers who have supported us for the past 16 years." The bar area will be expanded and the dining area changed to allow better seating with new tables and chairs. The Esras emphasize that the bar area will provide additional space for customers to meet and enjoy the 28 beers on tap, an exquisite wine list, and more than 70 bourbon whiskeys. Cobblestone will also introduce new menu items but keep many of the more popular offerings. The appetizer menu will be expanded and Chef Omar Guzman is creating new and delicious dishes to unveil at the restaurant’s reopening when the Esras plan to host “a really big party.” Lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch will continue to be served after the construction is completed. The Esras emphasize that the design efforts were a collaboration of ideas and talent from their fellow business owners and close friends, Tom Casalini and Lesley Hunt. The team created the new look and atmosphere for the interior updates throughout the restaurant and bar areas. “We could not have done any of this without their help,” Kent Esra says. “We would not have even known where to begin, and we cannot simply say ‘thank you’ enough for what these two have done for us.” Chef Omar Gusman The restaurant has long been a place where Zionsville residents and visitors can gather and enjoy a fine dining experience or celebrate special occasions. The garden room, a private room off the main dining area, will feature a window allowing patrons to feel a part of the main dining area and allow privacy features when the guests prefer to be secluded. Those who prefer to dine al fresco, weather permitting, will still be able to enjoy the serenity of the Cobblestone patio. Dog Nights on Mondays will return to the patio as well. Live music will continue to delight weekend guests. The Cobblestone welcomes patrons of all ages and offers a family-friendly environment as well as catering to its younger adult demographic. The menu, bar selections, and the over-all ambience is welcoming to everyone who comes through the doors. Guests can anticipate leaving and feeling well- served and appreciated by Cobblestone’s attentive staff. For those who want their Cobblestone “fix” during its remodeling period, the Esras have teamed up with local business owner, Victor (Vic) Gosnell, owner of Bites by Confectioneiress, to host “pop-up” dining opportunities on February 3rd and 4th. Tickets are $65 per person and includes a five-course meal from the Cobblestone and Bites menus paired with cocktails by two proprietors. For a complete course description and to purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com and enter “Cobblestone” in the search for events. “Kent and Liz have and will continue to support our business and this was our opportunity to pay it back,” Gosnell says. “We teamed up with them and thought of a creative way to offer a ‘bite’ of Cobblestone while they are under construction. Teaming up is a common theme throughout the Zionsville business community.” Kent Esra concludes, "We want to assure our customers and the Zionsville community that Cobblestone will be closed for a very short time to make the physical changes that we believe will greatly enhance and update the dining experience we've delivered since 2000." For updates on the remodeling progress and re-opening reveal party, visit www.cobblestonegrill.com

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