Sep 03, 2024
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Two new schools open in Ballantyne this fall.
This is not your grandmother’s wine bar. Even calling it a wine bar doesn’t really do Postino WineCafe justice. Co-founder and CEO Lauren Bailey prefers to say the latest addition to The Bowl at Ballantyne™ is a hybrid — an eclectic mix of a restaurant and wine bar where anything goes and everyone is welcome.
“It’s in some ways whatever you want it to be. For some people, we’re a happy hour spot. For other people, we’re a first date place. And for other people, we’re lunch, dinner, celebrate your special moment or host a baby shower,” Bailey says of the chain that started in Phoenix back in 2001. The Ballantyne location is No. 26 and the first in the Carolinas.
Jeremiah Gregory, the senior general manager of The Bowl, is thrilled to have Postino planting roots here.
“Having Postino select The Bowl at Ballantyne for its first North Carolina location is a testament to our strong community. It showcases the growing appeal and vibrancy of the Ballantyne area, highlighting The Bowl as a prime destination for unique and high-quality dining experiences.”
Bailey says bringing her baby to Ballantyne was an easy choice. “We toured that market, and we just loved the community. When we went out there, and we met the developer of The Bowl and walked outside, I remember thinking, this is going to be really cool. I’m a huge fan of live music, so the amphitheater sold me big time.”
Postino is all about comfort with a cool factor. The 5,213-square-foot space has room for 198 seats, including a spacious 56-seat outdoor patio.
“We want it to be a place where people feel really comfortable. We try to keep the environment fun and vibrant with great music and a place where you feel comfortable walking in your flip-flops and shorts, or you can be dressed to the nines. We don’t have a lot of rules; if you want to come in and have a drink and not order food, great. If you want to get food and no drink (that’s fine too). We’re not a typical restaurant in that way.”
The one rule they do live by is ensuring the wine list is original, approachable and affordable. Wines by the glass are just $6 during the day, seven days a week, and the selection constantly changes. And there’s a reason.
“We really wanted to instill that European lifestyle of having a glass of wine with lunch, and we try to make that easy for people. We also have incredible wines that you can’t get anywhere else, because our wine director works hard with winemakers all over the world to secure products that really only hit our restaurants.”
That European lifestyle also extends to the food menu, where everything is meant to be shared.
“The thing we have to put through our filter is that our food has to be sharable. We like people to share food, share time together, share a bottle of wine; we really subscribe to the style of European dining.”
Bailey says Postino is best known for its bruschetta — so much so that the chefs at Postinos across the country compete annually in the “Battle of the Bruschetta” with each chef submitting topping ideas. The regular menu offers 12 different toppings.
According to Bailey, other can’t-miss items are “Nick’s Board,” a creation of creamy pimento cheese paired with a pretzel and corn nuts and named after Nick Rangos, who first created a frenzy around his pimento cheese sandwiches at the Masters; the panini; and the cauliflower made with a romesco sauce and golden raisin vinaigrette.
As much as Postino is known for its food and wine offerings, patrons also love each location’s eclectic vibe and unique décor. Bailey has a degree in art and loves adapting new restaurants to match the community they call home with an art wall specifically designed for them.
Postino’s hallmarks include sophisticated mid-century modern furniture sourced from local vintage shops, quirky found objects, showstopping art installations, rollup garage doors and custom walnut wine walls.
“We don’t ever do two restaurants the same. Design has been a big part of what we do, so we try to design them all a little differently through art and the finishes. We have a huge collection of antique lighting, fixtures, furniture and all kinds of stuff — but we want it to be a place where people feel really comfortable.”
Gregory says that’s why Postino is the perfect fit for The Bowl at Ballantyne. “Postino’s unique concept and vibrant atmosphere will complement our current lineup at The Bowl seamlessly. Its focus on community, great food and a relaxed-yet-sophisticated environment aligns well with the values and ambiance we aim to cultivate here. We believe that Postino will not only attract new visitors but also encourage a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among all the businesses at The Bowl.”
Bailey couldn’t agree more.
“We have a big, all-boats-rise mentality, so we love being around great neighbors and just being in a spot [where] people can come and hang out and get excited to see the live music at the amphitheater. We’re just really pumped to be a part of the community.”
Content provided by Ballantyne Magazine writer Michelle Boudin.