Birmingham Could Soon Have a New Bistro

Ed Bosse’s proposal for a bistro goes to the planning board for further review. (Photo via Birmingham Wine at the Market)

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Birmingham could soon have a new bistro that offers moderately priced meals and wine selections.

The Birmingham City Commission approved and sent to the planning board for review Ed Bosse’s concept to turn his wine shop, Birmingham Wine at the Market, into a bistro that would be called The Fun Wine Company, The Birmingham Observer reports.

The business, located at 488 N. Old Woodward, would offer salads, pasta and soups. Bosse would continue his retail wine shop. Winemakers from around the world would offer classes and presentations.

“There’s a real magic when you put the right wine with the right food,” Bosse told the commission.

The commissioners gave preliminary approval to the plan on a 4-3 vote.

Under city ordinance, two bistro licenses can be granted a year by the City Commission. A request for an Asian-themed bistro, Toshi, at 135 N. Old Woodward, was denied on a 4-3 vote.

The commission liked the concept for Toshi, which feature the cuisine of award winning executive chef Justin Vaiciunas — who graduated at the top of his class at Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts Program and has worked at the Detroit Athletic Club and the former Forte restaurant, both in Birmingham — but the proposal was to locate the the bistro in an area the commission wants to reserve for retail shops.

“We’ve been trying to discourage more food establishments from locating right in the central core,” Commissioner Gordon Rinschler said at the meeting. “So I think it’s a great concept, but not a great location ... the other proposal is a great concept and a great location.”

» For more about the discussion, go to Hometownlife.com.